Worked solution
Calibrate exponential bacterial growth
In a favourable environment, bacteria increase at a rate proportional to the number present. There are at a certain time and one hour later. Find the number present four hours later.
CJC · Discussion · Question 6
Answer
bacteria, four hours after the first observation.
Set up and solve the growth equation
Let count bacteria, taking at the first observation and measuring in hours. Then with . Separation gives , so . The initial value gives .
How did this part go?
Use the doubling observation
gives , so and . At , . This follows the printed solution in measuring four hours from the first observation.
How did this part go?
Common mistakes
State the time origin so “four hours later” is applied consistently.