Problem

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Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Finding the rate or time in a word problem on continuous exponential...

The mass of a radioactive substance follows a continuous exponential decay model, with a decay rate parameter of $3.7 \%$ per day. Find the half-life of this substance (that is, the time it takes for one-half the original amount in a given sample of this substance to decay).

Note: This is a continuous exponential decay model.
Do not round any intermediate computations, and round your answer to the nearest hundredth.
days

Answer

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Answer

Rounding to the nearest hundredth, we get the final answer: The half-life of the substance is approximately \(\boxed{18.73}\) days.

Steps

Step 1 :The problem is about finding the half-life of a radioactive substance that follows a continuous exponential decay model, with a decay rate parameter of $3.7 \%$ per day.

Step 2 :The half-life of a substance under exponential decay can be calculated using the formula \(T = \frac{ln(2)}{k}\), where \(k\) is the decay rate.

Step 3 :In this case, the decay rate is given as $3.7\%$ per day, which needs to be converted to a decimal form for the calculation. So, \(k = 0.037\).

Step 4 :We can substitute this value into the formula and calculate the half-life: \(T = \frac{ln(2)}{0.037}\).

Step 5 :By calculating the above expression, we get \(T = 18.733707582701225\).

Step 6 :Rounding to the nearest hundredth, we get the final answer: The half-life of the substance is approximately \(\boxed{18.73}\) days.

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