document.write( "Question 1136372: An unknown radioactive element decays into non-radioactive substances. In 560 days the radioactivity of a sample decreases by 51 percent. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(a) What is the half-life of the element?
\n" ); document.write( "half-life:
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(b) How long will it take for a sample of 100 mg to decay to 47 mg?
\n" ); document.write( "time needed:
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Algebra.Com's Answer #754158 by greenestamps(13200)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "The fraction of the material remaining after n half-lives is

\n" ); document.write( "\"%28.5%29%5E%28n%29\"

\n" ); document.write( "(a) Determine the half-life

\n" ); document.write( "In this problem, the amount of material decreased by 51% in 560 days; that means after 560 days 49% remains. Use the basic formula to determine how many half-lives that is.

\n" ); document.write( "\"%28.5%29%5En+=+0.49\"
\n" ); document.write( "n = 1.0291463 (to several decimal places, using a graphing calculator)

\n" ); document.write( "So the half-life of the material is

\n" ); document.write( "\"560%2F1.0291463+=+544.14\"

\n" ); document.write( "(b) Determine how long it will take a 100mg sample to decay to 47mg

\n" ); document.write( "Use the basic formula to determine the number of half-lives it takes for the material to decay to where 47% remains, then multiply the half-life by that number.

\n" ); document.write( "\"%28.5%29%5En+=+0.47\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"n+=+1.0892673\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"1.0892673%2A544.14+=+592.7139\"

\n" ); document.write( "It takes about 593 days for a 100mg sample to decay to 47mg.
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