A certain strain of bacteria triples in number every hour
MATHEMATICS · Multi-part · AP · AP Precalculus · Exponential and Logarithmic Functions · Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Problem
A certain strain of bacteria triples in number every hour. The number of bacteria present after t hours is given by N(t)=N03t, where N0 is the initial count.
(i) If N(t)=243N0, set up an exponential equation in t and hence find t.
(ii) After how many hours will the population be 81 times the initial size?
(iii) Explain whether the time obtained in part (ii) is greater than, equal to, or less than the time obtained in part (i), and justify your answer using properties of exponents.