Problema Solution
Suppose a certain cell reproduces itself in four hours. If a lab researcher
begins with 50 cells, how many cells will there be after one day, two days, and three
days? (Hint: Use the exponential function y = 50(2x
).)
Answer provided by our tutors
y = 50^(2^x)
After 1 day = 24 hr we have x = 24/4 = 6 and the number of cells is:
y = 50*(2*4)
y = 39,062,500,000,000
y = 39,062.5*10^9 cells
After 2 day = 2*24 = 48 hr we have x = 48/4 = 12 and the number of cells is:
y = 50*(2*12)
y = 5^24 * 10^24
y = 59,604,644,775,390,625*10^24 cells
or about
y = 6*10^40 cells
After 3 days = 3*24 = 72 hr we have x = 72/4 = 18 and the number of cells is:
y = 50*(2*18)
y = 5^36 * 10^36
y = 14,551,915,228,366,851,806,640,625*10^36 cells
or about
y = 15*10^60 cells