A population of Esherichia coli is given time to grow for eight generations. The final population is 1,996,800 cells. What was the initial population in cells?

7800 cells

Explanation:

The number of Escherichia coli cells N after n generations is given by

N = 2ⁿ × N₀ where N₀ = initial population

Now making N₀ subject of the formula, we have

N₀ = N/2ⁿ

Since n = 8 and N = 1,996,800 cells, substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have

N₀ = N/2ⁿ

N₀ = 1,996,800 cells/2⁸

N₀ = 1,996,800 cells/256

N₀ = 7800 cells

So, the initial population of Escherichia coli cells is 7800 cells.