Question

An artifact was found to have an original amount of Carbon-14 of 32 grams. Approximately how many grams of Carbon-14 remain after 4300 years? Carbon 14 decays at a rate of -0.00012 grams per year.

Answer 1

31.5 grams

Explanation:

we know that

The linear equation in slope intercept form is equal to

`y=mx+b`

where

y is the amount of carbon 14 in grams

x is the number of years

m is the slope

b is the y-intercept or initial value

we have

The slope or unit rate is

`m=-0.00012\ g/year` --> is negative because is a decreasing function

The initial value is

`b=32\ g`

substitute

`y=-0.00012x+32`

For x=4,300 years

substitute in the linear equation

`y=-0.00012(4,300)+32=31.5\ g`