Chapter 1: Problem 35
A culture of bacteria originally numbers \(500 .\) After 2 hours there are 1500 bacteria in the culture. Assuming exponential growth, how many are there after 6 hours?
Short Answer
Expert verified
There are 13,500 bacteria after 6 hours.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Formula for Exponential Growth
Exponential growth can be described by the formula \( N(t) = N_0 \times e^{kt} \), where \( N(t) \) is the population at time \( t \), \( N_0 \) is the initial population, \( k \) is the growth rate, and \( e \) is the base of the natural logarithm.
02
Identify Known Values
From the problem, we know the initial number of bacteria \( N_0 = 500 \), the number of bacteria after 2 hours \( N(2) = 1500 \), and we need to find \( N(6) \).
03
Determine the Growth Rate (k)
Use the formula \( N(t) = N_0 \times e^{kt} \) with the values at 2 hours. Set \( 1500 = 500 \times e^{2k} \). Solving for \( k \), we divide both sides by 500 to get \( 3 = e^{2k} \), then take the natural logarithm: \( \ln(3) = 2k \). Finally, \( k = \frac{\ln(3)}{2} \approx 0.5493 \).
04
Calculate the Bacteria Count at 6 Hours
Now, use \( k \) to find \( N(6) \). Plug \( k \) into \( N(6) = 500 \times e^{6k} \). Calculate \( e^{6k} = e^{3\ln(3)} = 3^3 = 27 \). Thus, \( N(6) = 500 \times 27 = 13500 \).
05
Review the Calculation
The calculation is complete. After 6 hours, the number of bacteria is \( 13500 \). Verify each step to ensure there are no errors in computation or formula application.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Bacteria Culture
Imagine you have a petri dish filled with bacteria, and initially, there are 500 bacteria. This setup is what we refer to as a 'bacteria culture'. In science, when we talk about bacteria growing, we often assume that they are reproducing at a constant rate, leading to what is known as exponential growth.
Bacteria are fascinating because they can double in a relatively short amount of time under the right conditions. Let's explore the concept of bacteria culture a bit more closely:
Bacteria are fascinating because they can double in a relatively short amount of time under the right conditions. Let's explore the concept of bacteria culture a bit more closely:
- Bacteria are microorganisms that reproduce by cell division.
- In a culture, you can think of it like a colony growing on a food source.
- The amount of food (nutrients) and space can affect how quickly they grow.
Natural Logarithm
When dealing with exponential growth, the idea of a natural logarithm comes in handy for simplifying calculations.No need to be scared of the term! The natural logarithm, represented by the symbol \( \ln \), is a way to undo the exponential base we often use in natural growth equations.
Let’s break it down further:
Let’s break it down further:
- The base of the natural logarithm is the constant \( e \), which is approximately equal to 2.71828.
- This logarithm helps us solve equations involving exponential functions by turning products into sums, which are easier to deal with mathematically.
- For example, if you have \( e^{2k} = 3 \), taking the natural logarithm of both sides leads to a solution for \( k \).
Growth Rate Calculation
To determine how fast the bacteria in our culture are growing, we need to calculate the 'growth rate', commonly denoted as \( k \) in mathematical formulas. This is essentially what makes your equation move from being abstract to something concrete and measurable.
Here's how growth rate calculation works:
Here's how growth rate calculation works:
- The growth rate \( k \) is a constant in the exponential growth formula \( N(t) = N_0 \times e^{kt} \).
- In our bacteria culture growing from 500 to 1500 in 2 hours, we first rearrange the formula to solve for \( k \).
- Applying a natural logarithm, we solved \( \ln(3) = 2k \), leading to \( k = \frac{\ln(3)}{2} \), which calculates approximately to 0.5493.