Question

Mia is taking a prescription drug for a illness she has. The drug

decays at a rate of 15% per hour. If the initial dose is 500 mg. It
is not safe to drive until there is only 50 mg left in a person's
system. Will it be safe for Mia to drive in 15 hours? Write either
Yes or No. Use the equation:
A = P(1 – r)
Where A represents the current amount of the drug, P
represents the initial amount of the drug, r represents the
growth or decay rate (expressed as a decimal), and t
represents the time in hours.

Answer 1

Yes

Explanation:

Data

• decay rate, r: 0.15

• initial dose, P: 500 mg

• time, t = 15 hours

The equation we have to use is:

A = P(1 – r)^t

Replacing with data:

A = 500(1 – 0.15)^15

A = 43.7 mg

This means that, after 15 hours, the current amount of the drug on her system will be 43.7 mg, which is less than 50 mg. So, it will be safe for her to drive.