bacteria x has a relative growth rate of 230% per hour

we will assume that the bacteria is under ideal conditions in the potato salad

let 'x' represent the initial number of bacteria x introduced into the potato salad

after 1 hour the number of bacteria is: x + 2.30x = x(1 + 2.30) = 3.30x

after 2 hours the number of bacteria is: (3.30)^2x

after 3 hours the number of bacteria is: (3.30)^3x

(3.30)^3x = 40000

by solving we find:

x = 1,113 bacteria

click here to see the step by step solution of the equation:

the initial number of bacteria x introduced into the potato salad was 1,113 bacteria.

the number of bacteria in the food 3 hours after contamination is: 40,000

after 4 hours it is increased by 230%: 40000 + 2.30*40000 = 132,000 bacteria.