Explanation: The given equation to use is: <span>N=Noe^-kt First, we will need to define the variables of the equation as follows: No : original amount of C-14 (at t=0) N : amount of C-14 at certain time (t) k : a constant equals </span><span>0.0001 t : the time in years
Now, we are given that: The skeleton contains 54% of it's original amount of C-14. This means that: N/No = 54% = 0.54
Substitute with this given in the equation given, we will find that the only unknown is the time (t). We can now solve for t as follows: </span><span>N=Noe^-kt This can be rewritten as: N/No = </span>e^-kt Now, N/No = e^-kt 0.54 = e^(-0.0001t) Take ln for both sides: ln (0.54) = -0.0001t -0.61618 = -0.0001t t = 6161.86 years which is approximately 6162 years