The population of a bacteria colony increased by p% each day for 4 days in a row.The final population after 4 days was 5.0625 times the original population. What is p?
x = original population
5.0625 x = x (1 + p/100)4 We can remove 'x' form the equation ...included only for clarity
5.0625 = (1+ p/100)^4 take fourth root of both sides (you could also use LOGs if you know what those are )
1.5 = 1 + p/100
.5 = p /100 p = 50 %