Question

The cells of a bacteria double itself every hour. How many cells will there be after 8 hours, if initially we start with 1 cell. Express the answer in powers.

Answer 1

The cell of a bacteria double itself every hour = 1 + 1 = 2 = 2¹

Since, the process started with 1 cell.

∴ The total number of cell in 8 h = 2¹ × 2¹ × 2¹ × 2¹ × 2¹ × 2¹ × 2¹ × 2¹

= `2^(1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1)`   ...[∵ a^m × aⁿ = (a)^{m + n}]

= 2⁸