1) The number of bacteria N in a culture is given by N=250e^kt where t is the time in hours. If N = 280 when t=10 estimate the time required for the population to double in size.

280 = 250e^10k
divide by 250
1.12 = e^10k
ln 1.12 / 10 = .011 K = 0.11

Now I do not know what to do!

First you need to solve for k.

280 = 250 e^(10k)
1.12 = e^(10k)
ln 1.12 = 0.13929 = 10 k
k = 1.1333*10^-2

The doubling time T is given by
N/No = e^kT = 2
kT = ln 2 = 0.693
T = 0.693/k = 61.2 hours

To estimate the time required for the population to double in size, we can use the fact that when the population doubles, N = 2N₀, where N₀ is the initial population.

Since N = 280 when t = 10, we can substitute these values into the equation N = 250e^kt:
280 = 250e^(10k)

Next, we divide both sides of the equation by 250 to isolate the exponential term:
1.12 = e^(10k)

To solve for k, we take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides of the equation:
ln(1.12) = ln(e^(10k))

Using the property of logarithms that ln(e^x) = x, we can simplify the equation to:
ln(1.12) = 10k

Now, divide both sides of the equation by 10 to solve for k:
k = ln(1.12) / 10 ≈ 0.11

At this point, we have found the value of k. To determine the time required for the population to double, we can use the fact that when the population doubles, N = 2N₀. Since N₀ is the initial population, when the population doubles, N will be 2N₀.

Let's denote the time required for doubling as t_d. Substituting N = 2N₀ and rearranging the original equation, we have:
2N₀ = 250e^(kt_d)

Now, divide both sides of the equation by N₀ to isolate the exponential term:
2 = (250 / N₀) * e^(kt_d)

Since we know that k ≈ 0.11, we can substitute this value into the equation:
2 = (250 / N₀) * e^(0.11t_d)

To find t_d, we can solve this equation for t_d.