Problema Solution
The number of cells in a tumor doubles every 2.5
months. If the tumor begins with a single cell, how many cells will there be after 3
years? after 4
years?
Answer provided by our tutors
Beginning: 1 cell
After 2.5 months: 1*2 cells
After 2*2.5 = 5 months: 1*2*2 cells
After 3*2.5 = 7.5 months: 1*2*2*2 = 1*2^3 = 2^3 cells
.....
After 2.5n months there will be 2^n cells.
Since 3 years = 3*12 = 36 months after 36 = (36/2.5)*2.5 months there will be 2^(36/2.5) = 21,619 cells approximately.
Since 4 years = 4*12 = 48 months after 48 = (48/2.5)*2.5 months there will be 2^(48/2.5) = 602,259 cells approximately approximately.