A radioactive substance decays at a rate of y = ae^-0.1483t, where t in in hours. Find the half-life of the substance.

How do I solve this problem if I am only given the constant.

1 answer

so you want:

(1/2)a = ae^(-.1483t)

.5 = e^(-.1486t)
take ln of both sides and use rules of logs

-.1486t = ln .5
t = ln .5/-.1486 = appr 4.66 hours