Mathematics

Exponential growth follows the model $N(t) = N_0 e^{kt}$, where $k$ is the growth constant that tells you how fast the population scales per unit time. You're given two snapshots of the population—the starting count and what it becomes after 3 hours—so you can set up an equation and solve for $k$ by taking a logarithm to "undo" the exponential.

Exponential growth follows the model $N(t) = N_0 e^{kt}$, where $k$ is the growth constant that tells you how fast the population scales per unit time. You're given two snapshots of the population—the starting count and what it becomes after 3 hours—so you can set up an equation and solve for $k$ by taking a logarithm to "undo" the exponential.