College

The number of bacteria [tex] P(h) [/tex] in a certain population increases according to the following function, where time [tex] h [/tex] is measured in hours:

[tex] P(h) = 2900 e^{0.09 h} [/tex]

How many hours will it take for the number of bacteria to reach 3700? Round your answer to the nearest tenth, and do not round any intermediate computations.

[tex] \square [/tex] hours

Answer :

To find the number of hours it takes for the bacteria population to reach 3700, we start with the given function:

[tex]\[ P(h) = 2900 e^{0.09h} \][/tex]

We want to determine the value of [tex]\( h \)[/tex] when [tex]\( P(h) \)[/tex] equals 3700. This means we need to solve the equation:

[tex]\[ 2900 e^{0.09h} = 3700 \][/tex]

Here’s how to solve it step-by-step:

1. Divide both sides by 2900:
[tex]\[
e^{0.09h} = \frac{3700}{2900}
\][/tex]

2. Calculate the right-hand side:
[tex]\[
\frac{3700}{2900} \approx 1.2759
\][/tex]

3. Apply the natural logarithm (ln) to both sides to solve for [tex]\( h \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
\ln(e^{0.09h}) = \ln(1.2759)
\][/tex]

4. Simplify using the property of logarithms:
[tex]\[
0.09h = \ln(1.2759)
\][/tex]

5. Solve for [tex]\( h \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
h = \frac{\ln(1.2759)}{0.09}
\][/tex]

6. Calculate the value:
[tex]\[
h \approx 2.7
\][/tex]

Therefore, it will take approximately 2.7 hours for the bacteria population to reach 3700.