The discussion revolves around a problem involving exponential functions, specifically related to the growth of a bacteria population that doubles in a specified time frame. Participants are exploring the implications of this growth rate to determine when the population was half of its current size.
The discussion is active, with participants clarifying the original question and exploring different interpretations of the population growth scenario. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between current and past population sizes, but no consensus has been reached on the approach to the problem.
There appears to be some confusion regarding the interpretation of the problem, particularly in relation to the time frames involved in population growth and decay. Participants are also navigating the constraints of the problem without relying heavily on mathematical formulas.
If the bacteria population now is 500,000, when was the population 250,000?ohhnana said:Homework Statement
If a bacteria population doubles in 7 days, when was it half of its present population?
Homework Equations
A=A0(1+i)^n
The Attempt at a Solution
i= 100%=1
Mark44 said:...This problem is not a complicated one, and you don't need a calculator or any formulas to answer the question.