Example

Example: Evaluating Exponential Growth

Suppose a researcher starts an experiment with an initial population of 100100 viruses (A0=100A_0 = 100) that grows continuously at a rate of 25%25\% per hour (r=0.25r = 0.25). To determine the number of viruses after 2424 hours (t=24t = 24), we use the exponential growth formula: A=A0ertA = A_0 e^{rt}. Substituting the given values into the equation yields A=100e0.2524A = 100 e^{0.25 \cdot 24}, which simplifies to A=100e6A = 100 e^6. Evaluating this expression gives an amount of approximately 40,342.8840{,}342.88. Rounding to the nearest whole number, the researcher will find 40,34340{,}343 viruses. This same procedural framework can be used to model other continuous biological growth scenarios, such as bacterial populations increasing over time.

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Updated 2026-05-25

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