Understand your algebra!

Classical Mechanics Level 1

Suppose the number of neutrons in a reactor that is starting up doubles each minute, reaching one billion neutrons in 10 minutes. When did the number of neutrons reach half a billion?


The answer is 9.

Mardokay Mosazghi by Mardokay Mosazghi , 22, USA

This section requires Javascript.
You are seeing this because something didn't load right. We suggest you, (a) try refreshing the page, (b) enabling javascript if it is disabled on your browser and, finally, (c) loading the non-javascript version of this page . We're sorry about the hassle.

2 solutions

Sharky Kesa
May 1, 2014

Since it takes 1 minute for the neutrons to double, and half a billion is 1 2 \frac {1}{2} of a billion ( obviously ), the time when the neutrons were at a number of half a billion at 10 − 1 10-1 minutes which is equivalent to 9 9 minutes. A troll problem. :D

6 Helpful 0 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

Such questions, when they appear in an exam, give me chills in the spine.

Mustafa Gohar - 7 years ago
Sai Swetha Kv
May 1, 2014

The same thing is in Mathematical Circles but it's with bacteria..so! :P

1 Helpful 0 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

0 pending reports

×

Problem Loading...

Note Loading...

Set Loading...