SOLUTION: I'm not entirely sure this is the right subject, sorry if it's not... A substance decomposes radioactively. Its half-life is 32 years. Find the constant "k" in the decay formula

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: I'm not entirely sure this is the right subject, sorry if it's not... A substance decomposes radioactively. Its half-life is 32 years. Find the constant "k" in the decay formula      Log On


   



Question 568663: I'm not entirely sure this is the right subject, sorry if it's not...
A substance decomposes radioactively. Its half-life is 32 years. Find the constant "k" in the decay formula.
Use this formula instead: y=ne%5Ekt
y= final value
n= initial value
k= constant
t= time
e= antilogarithm

Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


is NOT the antilogarithm. is the base of the natural logs, that is:

If one half-life has elapsed, then .

Since the half-life of the substance in question is 32 years, then



Take the natural log of both sides:



Use



to write



Use "the difference of the logs is the log of the quotient",



to write



Use



to write



then use



to write



then



John

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