Question

While testing a new vaccine, a lab technician noticed that the number of bacteria reduced by half every minute. How long does it take for 3,000 bacteria to reduce to 375?
It takes
minutes for the number of bacteria to reduce from 3,000 to 375.

Answer 1

To start, find your equation, n=3000(.5)^t, n being your number of bacteria and t being your time. Now plug in 375 for n and solve for t, 375=3000(.5)^t, .125=.5^t, $t=log_{.5} .125=3$. This means your answer is 3 minutes. To check it, plug it into your equation. n=3000(.5)^t=3000(.125)=375