Question

The relative growth rate for a certain type of fungi is 70% per hour. A small culture has formed and in just 6 hours the count shows to be 54,273 fungi in the culture. What is the initial number of fungi in the culture?

Answer 1

54,273 = A * 1.70^6 where A is the initial number
A = 54273/1.70^6 = 2248

Answer 2

Answer: The initial number of fungi in the culture is 2248.

Explanation:

Since we have given that

Rate of growth for a certain type of fungi = 70% per hour

Number of hours = 6

Number of fungi = 54,273

So,we will apply the exponential function :

`A=A_0(1+r)^t`

Here, A = 54,273

r = 70% = 0.7

t = 6

So, our equation becomes,

`54,273=A_0(1+0.7)^6\\\\54,273=A_0(1.7)^6\\\\(54273)/(1.7^6)=A_0\\\\A_0=2248.48\approx 2248`

Hence, the initial number of fungi in the culture is 2248.