SAT question 15c364bf (Nonlinear Functions)

Question

A sample of a certain isotope takes 29 years to decay to half its original mass. The function s ( t ) = 184 ( 0.5 )^t/(29) gives the approximate mass of this isotope, in grams, that remains t years after a 184 -gram sample starts to decay. Which statement is the best interpretation of s ( 87 ) = 23 in this context?

College Board · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A. Choice A is correct. In the given function, s ( t ) represents the approximate mass, in grams, of the sample that remains t years after the sample starts to decay. It follows that the best interpretation of s ( 87 ) = 23 is that approximately 23 grams of the sample remains 87 years after the sample starts to decay.

Explanation

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Why the other choices are wrong

SAT Question 15c364bf: Nonlinear Functions answer and explanation with Desmos solution

Explanation

Enter in Desmos:

Why the other choices are wrong