In the equation Nf=(Ni)2^n, what does Ni represent?

In the equation Nf = (Ni)2^n, Ni represents the initial number of cells. This equation is often used in the context of growth or proliferation, specifically in a scenario where a population doubles at regular intervals. Here, Ni serves as the starting point or baseline number of cells from which the growth begins.

The factor 2^n indicates that the population doubles n times, leading to the final number of cells (Nf) being derived from the initial count. Understanding this relationship is crucial when discussing processes such as bacterial growth, tissue culture proliferation, or cellular replication, as it highlights how populations can expand exponentially from an initial quantity.