An artifact was found and tested for its carbon-14 content. If 83% of the original carbon-14 was still present, what is its probable age (to the nearest 100 years)? Use that carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,730 years.

Answer 1

.83 = 1(1/2)^(t/5730
.83 = .5^(t/5730)
ln .83 = (t/5730) ln .5
t/5730 = ln .83/ln .5
t = 5730(ln .83/ln .5) = appr 1540.3 years