Marcus is doing an science experiment in which he measures the rate at which bacteria multiply. Every 15 seconds, the bacteria double in number. If there are 10 bacteria now, how many will there be in 2 minutes?

Bacteria double every 15 seconds. The exponent should be 2. There are 4 sets of 15 seconds in a minute. Multiplied by 2 minutes is 8 sets of 15.

(10^2 * 15) (8)

10^2 = 100

100 * 15 = 1,500

1,500 * 8 = 12,000

In two minutes, there will be 12,000 bacteria.