The table shows the exponential relationship between the number of grams of a radioactive sample, y, and the number of years, x, since the sample was first measured.

Question

The table shows the exponential relationship between the number of grams of a radioactive sample, y, and the number of years, x, since the sample was first measured.

Radioactive Decay
Number of Years, x Amount of Sample, y (grams)
1 10.52
3 8.08
7 4.77
8 4.18

Which measurement is the best estimate of the number of grams of the sample remaining after 5 years?

{silence}Option A.{silence}
6.21 g

{silence}Option Be.{silence}
4.77 g

{silence}Option C.{silence}
5.64 g

{silence}Option D.{silence}
5.36 g

Answer 1

The best estimate of the number of grams of the sample remaining after 5 years is 5.64 g. This is because it is closest to the values of the sample amount at neighboring years (4.77 g at 7 years and 4.18 g at 8 years), indicating a gradual decrease in the sample amount over time. Option C is the closest value to these two points.