document.write( "Question 151233: Please help. These log word problems are the worst.\r
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document.write( "A certain radioactive isotope decays at a rate of .25% annually. Determine the half-life of this isotope, to the nearest year. \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #111130 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! A certain radioactive isotope decays at a rate of .25% annually. Determine the half-life of this isotope, to the nearest year. \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "The half-life formula: A = Ao*2^(-t/h) \n" ); document.write( "where: \n" ); document.write( "Ao - initial amt \n" ); document.write( "A = resulting amt \n" ); document.write( "t = time \n" ); document.write( "h = half life of the substance \n" ); document.write( "; \n" ); document.write( "In this problem: \n" ); document.write( "A = .75 (amt remaining after a 25% loss) \n" ); document.write( "Ao = 1 \n" ); document.write( "t = 1 \n" ); document.write( "h = half life \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "We can write it: \n" ); document.write( "1* 2(-1/h) = .75 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "ln(2^(-1/h)) = ln(.75); Find the nat log of both sides \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( ".693147* \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "-.693147 = -.287682h; multiplied both sides by h \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "h = \n" ); document.write( "h = +2.4 years is the half-life of this isotope \n" ); document.write( "h = 2 yrs \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Check solution on a calc: enter 2^(-1/2.4) = .749 ~ .75 (left after 25% loss) \n" ); document.write( " |