the number of bacteria after 0 hours = 250
the number of bacteria after 1 hour = 250 * 4
the number of bacteria after 2 hours = (250 * 4) * 4
the number of bacteria after 3 hours = ( (250 * 4) * 4 ) * 4 = 250 * 4 * 4 * 4 = 250 * 43
the number of bacteria after x hours = 250 * 4x
y = 250 * 4x