Question

Which bacteria sample (A or B) had a smaller initial population? What was that value?

Answer 1

Answer:

B has a smaller initial population of 500

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

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Required

The bacteria with the smaller initial population

The initial population is at x = 0

For bacteria A;

$A(x) = 600$ when $x = 0$

For bacteria B, we have:

$B(x) = 500(2)^x$

Substitute 0 for x

$B(x) = 500(2)^0$

$B(x) = 500*1$

$B(x) = 500$

So; when x = 0

$A(x) = 600$ and $B(x) = 500$

Because; 500 < 600

We can conclude that B has a smaller initial population of 500