SOLUTION: A certain reproductive element decays according to A(t) = A(0,e^-0.032t). Where t is years. How long would it take to go from 800 grams to 85 grams? (nearest year)

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Question 185318: A certain reproductive element decays according to A(t) = A(0,e^-0.032t). Where t is years. How long would it take to go from 800 grams to 85 grams? (nearest year)
Found 2 solutions by ankor@dixie-net.com, ZeratuelX:
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A certain reproductive element decays according to A(t) = A(0,e^-0.032t).
Where t is years. How long would it take to go from 800 grams to 85 grams?
(nearest year)
;
I think the formula you mean is: A(t) = A(e^-0.032t)
A = 800
A(t) = 85
Find t:
:
800*e^-.032t = 85
:
Divide both sides by 800:
e%5E%28-.032t%29 = 85%2F800
:
The natural log of both sides:
-.032t*ln(e) = ln(.01625)
:
Natural log of e = 1, therefore:
-.032t = -2.24196
:
t = %28-2.24196%29%2F%28-.032%29
t = 70 yrs f0r 800 grms to decay to 85 grms
;
:
Check on a calc: enter: 800*e^(-.032*70) = 85.17 ~ 85

Answer by ZeratuelX(5) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In this question we will have to use the Continuously Compounded Interest Formula which is represented by the equation A+=+Pe%5E%28r%2At%29 where A is the resulting number, P is the original number, r is the rate, and t is the time.
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In this question we have an original value of 800 grams, and an ending value of 85 grams so we can set up the equation like this:
85+=+800%2Ae%5E%28-0.032%2At%29
Since we are trying to find how long it will take, we are trying to solve for t (time). To get a variable out of the exponent we will have to take the logarithm of both sides after the problem is simplified.
.10625+=+e%5E%28-0.032%2At%29 (Divide both sides by 800)
ln%28.10625%29+=+ln%28e%5E%28-0.032%2At%29%29 (Take the natural log of both sides, log base e)
ln%28.10625%29+=+-0.032%2At (Use the logarithm power property to take the exponent out)
-ln%28.10625%29%2F0.032+=+t (Divide both sides by -0.032)
t+=+70.0612647243003387 (Solve the natural log with a calculator)
t+=+70+years (Round to the nearest number of years)