Question

Starting with a bacterium that divides once in half hour, how many bacteria are formed after $24$ hours of growth?

• A. $2^{12}$
• B. $2^{24}$
• C. $2^{48}$
• D. $2^{47}$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $2^{48}$

Since the bacteria divides once in half hour. In one hour number of times it will divide = 2

So, in 24 hours number of times the bacteria will divide = 2*24= 48 times

So, number of bacteria formed after 24 hours = 2${}^4$${}^8$

So, the correct answer is '2${}^4$${}^8$'.