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advanced-mathA pond's algae coverage doubles every 3 days. If it covers 5% of the pond today, when will it cover 100%?
A
About 13 days
B
60 days
C
30 days
D
20 days
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the correct answer. Find when coverage goes from 5% to 100%.
- Growth Needed: times larger.
- Doublings: (close) to . Actually is between and , closer to .
- Time: About 4-5 doublings 3 days = 12-15 days.
- More precise: , so doublings, thus days.
💡 Strategic Tip: To grow by factor of 20, need doublings.
Choice B is incorrect because doubling is much faster. Choice C is incorrect because this assumes 10 doublings. Choice D is incorrect because this doesn't match the calculation.