SOLUTION: Due to melting, an ice sculpture loses half of its weight every hour. After eight hours, it weighs 5/16 of a pound. How much did it weigh in the beginning? I have tried...1/2x-6

Question 975814: Due to melting, an ice sculpture loses half of its weight every hour. After eight hours, it weighs 5/16 of a pound. How much did it weigh in the beginning?
I have tried...1/2x-60=8(5/16) I do not know how to set up the equation?
Answer by Alan3354(69443) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Due to melting, an ice sculpture loses half of its weight every hour. After eight hours, it weighs 5/16 of a pound. How much did it weigh in the beginning?
I have tried...1/2x-60=8(5/16) I do not know how to set up the equation?
===================
W = starting weight.
L = weight left.
-----
L = W*(1/2)^t (t in hours)
5/16 = W*(1/2)^8 = W/256
W = (5/16)*256 = 80 pounds.
-----------
Start: 80 pounds
> 1 hr 40 pounds
> 2 hr 20 pounds
> 3 hr 10 pounds
> 4 hr 5 pounds
> 5 hr 5/2 pounds
> 6 hr 5/4 pounds
> 7 hr 5/8 pounds
> 8 hr 5/16 pounds

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