Question

a population of bacteria is growing in a petri dish. the function $a(t) = 10(1.02)^t$ models the population with $a(t)$ representing the number of bacteria at time, $t$, in hours. complete the statements. based on the function, $a(t)$, 10 is the dropdown with options: growth rate of the population of bacteria, initial number of bacteria in the petri dish, the number of bacteria after 1 hour. the number of bacteria is text box.

Explanation:

The given function follows the exponential growth form \(A(t) = A_0(1+r)^t\), where \(A_0\) is the initial amount, \(r\) is the growth rate, and \(t\) is time. When \(t=0\), \(A(0)=10(1.02)^0=10\), which is the starting population.

Answer:

initial number of bacteria in the petri dish