how would I solve this?

Question

88 bacteria double every 15 minutes for 3 hours

Answer 1

You would use the population equation:

P = P₀(2)^t

where P₀ is the initial population, 88, and t is in 15 minute increments. For 3 hours, that would be 12 increments.

P(12) = 88(2)¹² = 88(4096) = 360448 bacteria.

Answer 2

in 3 hours there are 12 doubling periods

so at 3 hrs you have 88(2)^12= 360448