Calculating Population Growth Rate using Derivatives

cdoss
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Homework Statement


A population of 500 bacteria is introduced into a culture and grows in number according to the equation P(t)=500(1+(4t/(50+t2), where t is measured in hours. Find P'(2), an interpret the results.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I used the product rule, sum and difference rule, and the quotient rule, but it seems like I used it a lot and there is a lot of steps that I used. I think I am over-thinking this problem. But I got 10000-200t2/(50+t2)2
 
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cdoss said:
P(t)=500(1+(4t/(50+t2), where t is measured in hours.
Is it supposed to be this?
P(t) = 500\left( 1 + \frac{4t}{50 + t^2}\right)
I also got something different for P'(t).
 
hi cdoss! :smile:
cdoss said:
I used the product rule, sum and difference rule, and the quotient rule, but it seems like I used it a lot and there is a lot of steps that I used. I think I am over-thinking this problem. But I got 10000-200t2/(50+t2)2

where is there a product? i only see a quotient :confused:

show us your full calculations :smile:
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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