16Hit1600
Advanced MathEasy–MediumChoosing the exponential growth model

Advanced Math practice question

A colony of 80 bacteria doubles every 3 hours. Which function gives the population P after t hours?

  1. A. P(t) = 80(2)^(t/3)Correct
  2. B. P(t) = 80(2)ᵗ
  3. C. P(t) = 80 + 2t/3
  4. D. P(t) = 80(3)^(t/2)

Answer: A. P(t) = 80(2)^(t/3)

Doubling every 3 hours: the exponent t/3 counts the doublings.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. P(t) = 80(2)ᵗ
(2)ᵗ doubles every hour.
C. P(t) = 80 + 2t/3
Linear, not doubling.
D. P(t) = 80(3)^(t/2)
A base of 3 triples.

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