Question

Bacteria can divide in every 20 minutes. So, 1 bacterium can multiply to 2 in 20 minutes, 4 in 40 minutes, and so on. How many bacteria will there be in 6 hours? Write your answer using exponents, then evaluate.

Answer 1

Doubling in bacteria

1. We know that, 1h=60min
   
2. 6h=60×6min=360min
   
3. Given, a bacteria doubles itself every 20 min.
   
4. The number of times it will double itself=360min20min=18
   
5. Bacteria will there in 6h= 2×2×2×...............×2(18 times)=218