Problem 5

Due in DSC 203 by 3 PM, Friday, September 28, 2001



A virus enters a colony of n bacteria. In the first minute, the virus kills one bacterium, then divides itself into two viruses. At the same time each of the remaining bacteria divides itself in two bacteria.

In the next minute the two viruses kill two bacteria, then the two viruses together with all the remaining bacteria divide themselves into two. And so on ...

Will the colony of bacteria eventually die out, or will it live forever?



Solutions, questions and/or comments should be directed to Judy Downey or Griff Elder


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Last modified:   Thu Sep 20 17:27:53 CDT 2001