Lab Report: Mystery Decay

Archaeological Science Division // Project C-14

Laboratory Grade

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Lead Investigator:

Lab Station:

Timestamp:

1

Data Acquisition

A fossilized mammoth tusk was found in a melting glacier. The remaining Carbon-14 was measured over 5 days to establish a decay model. Enter this data into your calculator.

Time (x) [Days]	Carbon-14 (y) [Grams]
0	150.0
1	135.2
2	121.4
3	109.5
4	98.6

Model Calculation

Perform an exponential regression y ~ a(b)^x

Parameter a: _______

Parameter b: _______

2

Solving with the Model

Critical Question: The Half-Life

Based on your generated model, solve graphically to find when only 75 grams of Carbon-14 will remain. (This is half the original amount).

Intersection Goal

Graph y = [Your Model] and y = 75

Solution Time

x ≈ ____

Critical Question: Security Threshold

The tusk is considered "stable" once it has under 20 grams of radiation. Solve the inequality graphically and write the solution in interval notation.

Show work/shading description here

[ ____ , ____ )

Final Lab Synthesis

Why is performing a regression better than just picking two points from the table and guessing? Explain how "messy data" relates to the precision of your model.

Regression and Solving Lab

Data Detectives Slides

Mystery Data Lab Report

Regression Lab Rubric Key