
William S. answered 12/04/13
Tutor
4.4
(10)
Experienced scientist, mathematician and instructor - William
Dear Erica,
In general
A = A0e-kt
where A is the amount remaining after t years, A0 is the starting amount and k is the decay constant.
Let us rewrite this as
A/A0 = e-kt = e-[(0.00012)*(4000)] = e-0.48 = 0.62
I think all we can say with certainty is that, during those 4000 years, the amount of C-14 decreased to 62% of its original value, or it lost 38% of its original value (A0).