Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    pupdog's Avatar
    pupdog Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Oct 1, 2012, 04:20 PM
    Math word problem answers
    A fossil was found to have 1/4 the number of Carbon 14 atoms present then when the animal died. The half life for carbon 14 is 5730 years. How old is the fossil?
    teacherjenn4's Avatar
    teacherjenn4 Posts: 4,005, Reputation: 468
    Education Expert
     
    #2

    Oct 1, 2012, 04:22 PM
    Show us your attempt at solving the problem and then we will help you.
    pupdog's Avatar
    pupdog Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Oct 1, 2012, 04:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by teacherjenn4 View Post
    Show us your attempt at solving the problem and then we will help you.
    I am a parent trying to help my High school freshman daughter solve this problem but I am clueless. I don't just want the answer but if you show me how you got the answer I think I can explain it to her better.
    pupdog's Avatar
    pupdog Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #4

    Oct 1, 2012, 04:30 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by teacherjenn4 View Post
    show us your attempt at solving the problem and then we will help you.
    5730 + 2865 = 8595 Would this answer be right?
    Unknown008's Avatar
    Unknown008 Posts: 8,076, Reputation: 723
    Uber Member
     
    #5

    Oct 2, 2012, 12:42 AM
    Ah, no, not quite right.

    Half life has a special behaviour. Say something has a half life of 10 minutes and there is initially 128 kg of that thing.

    After 10 min, there would be 128/2 = 64 kg
    After 20 min, there would be 64/2 = 32 kg
    After 30 min, there would be 32/2 = 16 kg
    After 40 min, there would be 16/2 = 8 kg
    After 50 min, there would be 8/2 = 4 kg

    And so on.

    So, in your question,
    At the time of death, there were x number of C-14 atoms.
    After 5730 years, there would be x/2 number of C-14 atoms.
    After (5730*2) years, there would be (x/2)/2 number of C-14 atoms.

    Does it make sense?

    This is half life. It means the amount/mass halves for each half life period.
    pupdog's Avatar
    pupdog Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #6

    Oct 2, 2012, 05:47 PM
    5730 x 2 = 11460 Is this correct
    Unknown008's Avatar
    Unknown008 Posts: 8,076, Reputation: 723
    Uber Member
     
    #7

    Oct 3, 2012, 08:45 AM
    Right :)

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Math word problem answers [ 2 Answers ]

A pizza shop offers five different toppings, R, P, 0, M, S for its pizzas. How many different pizzas can be created using three different toppings?

Math word problem answers [ 1 Answers ]

An art club is having a party. Wes got 10 candles for a cake. Jenna wants to put the 10 candles into 5 rows of 4 candles. The candles do not form a rectangle. How can the 10 candles be placed on the cake?

Get instant free math word problem answers? [ 5 Answers ]

A packaging company is manufacturing cardboard boxes without a lid that measure 3" long, 1" wide and 1" high. They will be cut by using a geometric net where each side of the base is simply folded down flat (Like a cross). The boxes will be cut from sheets of cardboard that measure 1 yard by 1...


View more questions Search