Science:Math Exam Resources/Courses/MATH110/December 2014/Question 08 (a)/Statement

Assume that the number of bacteria at time ${\textstyle t}$ (in minutes) follows an exponential growth model ${\textstyle P(t)=Ce^{kt}}$, where ${\textstyle C}$ and ${\textstyle k}$ are constant. Suppose the count in the bacteria culture was 300 after 15 minutes and 1800 after 40 minutes. You may leave your answers unsimplified, i.e. in "calculator-ready" form.

(a) What was the initial size of the culture?