SOLUTION: The burial cloth of an Egyptian mummy is estimated to contain 59% of the carbon-14 it contained originally. How long ago was the mummy buried? (The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 y

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Question 48241This question is from textbook College Algebra
: The burial cloth of an Egyptian mummy is estimated to contain 59% of the carbon-14 it contained originally. How long ago was the mummy buried? (The half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years.)
I got:
m(t) = m0e^-(ln2/n)t
0.59 = 1e^-(ln2/5730)t
ln(0.59) = -(ln2/5730)t
t = 5730(ln0.59)/ln2 = 4,362 years ago
Does this seem right?
Thanks for all your wonderful help! This question is from textbook College Algebra

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Your formula certainly works and your answer is essentially
correct. I use a different formula for half-life problems.
For what it is worth I get:
0.59A = A(1/2)^(t/5730)
0.59 = (1/2)^(t/5730)
ln0.59 = (t/5730)(ln0.5)
t=5730[(ln0.59/ln0.5]
t= 4361.75 yrs.
Cheers,
Stan H.