You start with 1,000,000 bacteria cells, 10% die each minute. How long until sterilization?

If 10% die every minute, then 90% remain every minute.





1000000(.90)^m ... where m is the number of minutes.





You need to figure out what value of m that results in a number than rounds to zero.





y = 1000000(.90)^m





At m = 137, y = .538


At m = 138, y = .485





To the nearest whole minute, the sterilization will happen at 138 minutes.

You start with 1,000,000 bacteria cells, 10% die each minute. How long until sterilization?
like i can figure out this one
Reply:10 minutes. If 10% of 100 is 10...then 10% of 1,000,000 is 100,000...so just divide 1,000,000 by 100,000. Thanks!~
Reply:when ((0.9)^n)*1000000 is less than 1, all the bacteria will have died off. n may be calculated to be 131 minutes.
Reply:u didn't say how fast they multiply. If more than 1 million are produced in 1 minute then it's impossible to completely sterilize





I guess there is no practicality in math, lol
Reply:Most bacteria can double their amount in 15 - 20 minutes. If we take that into count, you won't ever get sterilization.
Reply:138 man but bacteria doubles....





ex. like yeast
Reply:This can't be calculated to the last one. When it gets to the last one, there is no 10% to die per minute. That's probably the one that will have the ability not only to survive the serilization, but to also subdivide thousands of times and you will be right back where you started. Or much worse.