Question

Researchers recorded that a certain bacteria population declined from 450,000 to 900 in 30 hours at this rate of decay how many bacteria will there be in 13 hours

Answer 1

30,455

Explanation:

Exponential decay

y = a(1 - b)^x

y = final amount

a = initial amount

b = rate of decay

x = time

We are looking for the rate of decay, b.

900 = 450000(1 - b)^30

1 = 500(1 - b)^30

(1 - b)^30 = 0.002

1 - b = 0.002^(1/30)

1 - b = 0.81289

b = 0.1871

The equation for our case is

y = 450000(1 - 0.1871)^x

We are looking for the amount in 13 hours, so x = 13.

y = 450000(1 - 0.1871)^13

y = 30,455