Question 194226
the half-life of carbon-14 is 5730yr
this means that in 5730yr, 50% of the original amount will remain
in another 5730yr, 25% will remain
and so on


the number of half-lives can be found from ___ p = (1/2)^n
where p is the fraction remaining and n is the number of half-lives


taking the log ___ log(p) = n * log(1/2)
dividing by log(1/2) ___ [log(p)] / [log(1/2)] = n


[log(.10)] / [log(1/2)] = n
using a calculator ___ n = 3.32 (approx)


so the time is ___ 3.32 * 5730 = 19024yr