Since we know the change is y WRT t is proportional to the amount of y: dy/dt = my (m is some constant)
Solve for y using "Separation of Variables": dy/y = mdt Integrate both sides. ln|y| = mt + C |y| = e^(mt+C) = e^(mt) * e^C y = ce^(mt) (where c = (+-)e^C)
Let's solve for the constant c by making use of the "initial values". We know at t=0 that y=6500.
6500 = ce^(m*0) 6500 = c
So now: y = 6500e^(mt) but we still need to solve for m somehow. Let's use the fact that the amount, y, doubles every Δt=7.3 hours.
At t=0: y = 6500
So at t=7.3: 13000 = 6500e^(7.3m) 2 = e^(7.3m) ln(2) = 7.3m ln(2) / 7.3 = m
Substitute m: y = 6500e^(ln(2)/7.3 * t)
We are interested in the amount of bacteria, y, after 5 hours (t=5): y = 6500e^(ln(2)/7.3 * 5) y = 10449.6 (approximately)
