Lesson 2

Discover

 

Try This 1

 

The equation for bacterial growth, starting with one bacterium, is P = 2t, where P is the number of bacteria and t is the number of 20-minute intervals.

 

BACTERIA TABLE
Number of 20-Minute Intervals That Have Passed	Number of Bacteria Present (P = 2t)
0	P = 20 = 1
1	P = 21 = 2
2	P = 22 = 4
3	P = 23 = 8
4	P = 24 = 16

1. Determine how many 20-minute intervals would have passed if there are 64 bacteria? Explain how you found your answer.
2.  
   1. Use the equation P = 2t to determine the number of 20-minute intervals that would pass for there to be 256 bacteria. Explain how you found your answer.
   2. Describe how you could use a graphical method to solve the problem.
   3. Describe how you could use an algebraic method to solve the problem.
3.  
   1. Determine the number of 20-minute periods that would pass to produce 100 bacteria.
   2. Can you use a graphical method to solve the problem? Explain. Can you use an algebraic method? Explain.

Save your responses in your course folder.

 

Share 1

 

With a partner or group, discuss the following questions based on your solutions in Try This 1.

1. How did the various graphical methods compare?
2. How did the various algebraic methods compare?
3. Which method do you prefer? Explain.

If required, place a summary of your discussion in your course folder.