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A radioactive compound with mass 420 grams decays at a rate of 
4% per hour. Which equation represents how many grams of the compound will remain after 5 hours?

C=420(0.6)^(5)

C=420(1+0.04)^(5)

C=420(1-0.04)(1-0.04)(1-0.04)

C=420(0.96)^(5)

A radioactive compound with mass 420420 grams decays at a rate of 4% 4 \% per hour. Which equation represents how many grams of the compound will remain after 55 hours?\newlineC=420(0.6)5 C=420(0.6)^{5} \newlineC=420(1+0.04)5 C=420(1+0.04)^{5} \newlineC=420(10.04)(10.04)(10.04) C=420(1-0.04)(1-0.04)(1-0.04) \newlineC=420(0.96)5 C=420(0.96)^{5}

Full solution

Q. A radioactive compound with mass 420420 grams decays at a rate of 4% 4 \% per hour. Which equation represents how many grams of the compound will remain after 55 hours?\newlineC=420(0.6)5 C=420(0.6)^{5} \newlineC=420(1+0.04)5 C=420(1+0.04)^{5} \newlineC=420(10.04)(10.04)(10.04) C=420(1-0.04)(1-0.04)(1-0.04) \newlineC=420(0.96)5 C=420(0.96)^{5}
  1. Identify initial amount and decay rate: Identify the initial amount of the compound and the decay rate.\newlineThe initial amount of the compound aa is 420420 grams.\newlineThe decay rate is 4%4\% per hour, which means that each hour, the compound retains 96%96\% of its mass from the previous hour.
  2. Convert decay rate to decimal: Convert the decay rate to a decimal.\newlineTo convert a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100100.\newline4%4\% as a decimal is 0.040.04.
  3. Determine decay factor: Determine the decay factor.\newlineSince the compound decays by 4%4\%, it retains 100%4%=96%100\% - 4\% = 96\% of its mass each hour.\newlineAs a decimal, this is 0.960.96.\newlineThe decay factor (b)(b) is therefore 0.960.96.
  4. Write exponential decay equation: Write the exponential decay equation.\newlineThe general form of an exponential decay equation is C=a(b)tC = a(b)^t, where:\newlineCC is the final amount,\newlineaa is the initial amount,\newlinebb is the decay factor (11 minus the decay rate),\newlinett is the time in hours.\newlineSubstitute the known values into the equation to get:\newlineC=420(0.96)tC = 420(0.96)^t
  5. Calculate remaining amount after 55 hours: Calculate the amount of the compound remaining after 55 hours.\newlineSubstitute 55 for tt in the equation from Step 44 to get:\newlineC=420(0.96)5C = 420(0.96)^5

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