Problema Solution
To begin a bacteria study, a petri dish had
2800
bacteria cells. Each hour since, the number of cells has increased by
3.5%
.
Let
t
be the number of hours since the start of the study. Let
y
be the number of bacteria cells.
Write an exponential function showing the relationship between
y
and
t
.
Answer provided by our tutors
The function that models exponential growth is:
P(t) = P0*(1 + r)^t, where
P0 = P(0) is the initial value of P
r is the growth rate as a decimal
In our case we have:
P(0) = 2800
r = 0.035 or 3.5%
P(t) = 2800*(1 + 0.035)^t
P(t) = 2800*(1.035)^t
The same exponential function written using y and t is:
y = 2800*1.035^t.