A colony of bacteria is observed in a laboratory culture
MATHEMATICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Mathematics · Sequences and Series · Sequences and Series
Problem
A colony of bacteria is observed in a laboratory culture. At the start of the experiment, the population is 500 bacteria and it is found to triple every hour. Assume the growth continues in this manner without restriction.
(i) List the number of bacteria present at the beginning of each of the first nine hours (including the initial count).
(ii) Find the total number of bacteria that will have been present altogether from the start up to the end of the eighth hour (inclusive). Express your answer in scientific notation correct to three significant figures.
(iii) Confirm that the total obtained in part (ii) is greater than 5×105 and less than 2×107. Show appropriate working.