GMAT Problem Solving (PS) | Re: A strain of bacteria reproduces 25% every 12 min. In how m

Responding to a pm:

If initial amount of bacteria is X, we need it to become 3X. How many 12 min time intervals does it need? Let's assume we need n time intervals.

X*(5/4)^n = 3X
(5/4)^n = 3

Now note that the options are 12*4, 12*5, 12*6 etc. So this gives us some ideas.

(5/4)^4 = 625/256 -> this is much less than 3 since 256*3 is more than 750.
(5/4)^5 = 3125/1024 -> this is a tiny bit more than 3 and hence is out answer since 1024*3 is a bit more than 3000.

Hence n is 5 and time