Homework Help: Math

Posted by Hannah on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 4:54pm.

A bone is found to have 45% of the original amount of carbon 14. If the half life of carbon is 5600 years, how old is the bone.

Would I use the formula N=No e^kt?

Math - drwls, Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 5:09pm
You could use that formula, if you know how to relate k to half life. In the formula you wrote, there would have to be a negative exponent (assuming k is positive).

Another way that might be easier to remember is to solve:

0.45 = (0.5)^(t/T)
where T is the half life.

Take logs of both sides (to any base)

t/T = log(0.45)/log(0.5) = 1.15

T = 5600/1.15 = 4870 years
Math - Reiny, Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 5:20pm
yes, you could

You will need
.5 = 1 e^(5600k)
5600k = ln .5
k = ln .5 / 5600

so .45 = e^((ln.5/5600)t
(ln.5/5600)t = ln.45
t = 5600(ln.45)/ln.5
= 6451.2

or the other formula
N = (.5)^(t/5600)

then .45 = .5^(t/5600)
t/5600 = ln.45/ln.5
t = (5600ln.45/ln.5) = same calculation
Math - Hannah, Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 11:44am
Thank You

Answer this Question

Related Questions

Biology - The half life of carbon 14 is 5700 years. If the carbon 14 level ...
math - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 83% of the...
math - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 83% of the...
math - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 76% of the...
math - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 88% of the...
College Math - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 88...
math - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 81% of the...
Math - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 88% of the...
algebra - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 84% of ...
algebra - An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 84% of ...

For Further Reading

First Name:
School Subject:
Answer: