EXE 17.7 NO.

9 - MATHEMATICS
A colony of bacteria grows by 5% per cent every hour. How long does it
take for the colony to double in size?

Consider:
Size = x → P ( principal)
Double in size = 2x → A (total amount)

Use the formula of compound interest to calculate the time (in hours):

( ) r n
( )
n
5
A=P 1+ → 2 x=x 1+
100 100

x ( 100 )
→ 2=( )
n n
2x 5 21
= 1+
20

We have to use the inverse operation of exponential, that is the logarithm

function. So:

n=log 2 ( 2120 )=15 hours

Therefore, the colony takes 15 hours to double in size.

LORENZO MASSI – 2Fs