2x + 3x + 5x = 180
10x = 180
x = 18
2x = 36, 3x = 54, 5x = 90
They add up to 180 (definition of sum of angles of a triangle.)
So it starts with 12 in the bacterial population. After 1 hour, 6 are added. After another hour passed, 9 are added. 12/1, 18/6, 27/9.
You set both expressions equal to each other, then solve for x. Your answer will be x=12