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Nonlinear functions SAT question

Math · Advanced Math · Medium · Answer it here, explanation included.

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?

Enter a number or fraction (like 3/17 or 0.176). Press Enter to check.

ExplanationShow

The correct answer is . It's 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 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 of the expression  is , the expression will double when the exponent increases by . Since the exponent of the 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 .

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