Cell Science. Need help

Question

If the cells double every 4.5 months starting with a single. Cell how many cells after 5 years

Answer 1

This is a problem in exponential growth.

P₀ = initial number of cells

It doubles every 4.5 months, so in 5 years there are 5(12)/4.5 doubling periods (5 years, 12 months per year, 4.5 months doubling period). After 5 years,

P(5) = P₀ (2)^5(12)/4.5 = P₀ (2)^60/4.5 ≅ 10321 P₀

For P₀ = 1,

P(5) = 10321