A tumor doubled in size every 7 months. If the initial size of the tumor is 7 cells, how many cells will there be in 5 years?

Answer 1

Hello Vanessa,

The equation you could use here is:

A = A₀ * (2)^t/7 where A₀ is the initial size of the tumor, A is the size of tumor after t months (NOT years), 7 is the number of months it takes for the tumor to double in size. We use 2 as the base because the tumor DOUBLES in size.

In this problem, you know everything except A: A₀ is 7 cells, t is 5 years but we have to convert it into months. 5 years = 5 * 12 months = 60 months.

Plug everything in the original equation: A = 7 * (2)^60/7

Put it in your calculator. You should get 2662.9017...

Realistically, you can't get 0.9 cell, so round up your answer to the nearest integer ---> 2,663 cells

Answer: In 5 years, there will be 2,663 cells.