sat suite question viewer
The function gives the number of bacteria in a population minutes after an initial observation. How much time, in minutes, does it take for the number of bacteria in the population to double?
Explanation
Choice B is correct. Itβs given that minutes after an initial observation, the number of bacteria in a population is . This expression consists of the initial number of bacteria, , multiplied by the expression . The time, in minutes, it takes for the number of bacteria to double is the increase in the value of that causes the expression to double. Since the base is , the expression will double when the exponent increases by . Since the exponent of this expression is , the exponent will increase by when increases by . Therefore, the time, in minutes, it takes for the number of bacteria in the population to double is .
Choice A is incorrect. This is the base of the exponent, not the time it takes for the number of bacteria in the population to double.
Choice C is incorrect. This is the number of minutes it takes for the population to double twice.
Choice D is incorrect. This is the number of bacteria that are initially observed, not the time it takes for the number of bacteria in the population to double.