- #1
Swerting
- 35
- 0
The problem states that the number of bacteria in a culture is proportional to the number present. The culture has 10,000 bacteria initially, 20,000 at time t1 minutes, and 100,000 bacteria at time (t1+10) minutes.
I am asked to find the number of bacteria at time t in terms of t only.
The rate of growth equation is [tex]y=ce^{kt}[/tex].
I understand c to be the initial population, 10,000, and y to be the population at time t, which makes sense because according to this logic, y=10,000 at time 0. Over 10 minutes the population seems to grow 80,000, so I divided 80,000 by 10 and got 8,000 as a rate. I plugged this in as my 'k' value and solved for t1. When I plugged this into the formula when y=100,000, the two values weren't equal (the value on the right side of the equation was so big I couldn't even compute it). I have been trying to figure out other ways to calcuate 'k', but am unable to since the time t1 was not specified. I appreciate any help.
I am asked to find the number of bacteria at time t in terms of t only.
The rate of growth equation is [tex]y=ce^{kt}[/tex].
I understand c to be the initial population, 10,000, and y to be the population at time t, which makes sense because according to this logic, y=10,000 at time 0. Over 10 minutes the population seems to grow 80,000, so I divided 80,000 by 10 and got 8,000 as a rate. I plugged this in as my 'k' value and solved for t1. When I plugged this into the formula when y=100,000, the two values weren't equal (the value on the right side of the equation was so big I couldn't even compute it). I have been trying to figure out other ways to calcuate 'k', but am unable to since the time t1 was not specified. I appreciate any help.