Using Radioactive Decay to Investigate Exponential Functions

Students use random numbers to simulate radioactive decay and then compare the experimental results with the theoretical model. Graphing exponential functions, natural and common logarithms, and semilog graph paper are among the mathematics topics.

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Mathematics teacher 2012-08, Vol.106 (1), p.52-58
Main Author: Bryan, Joel A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities for Students
Data collection
Experimental data
Exponential decay law
Exponential functions
High school students
Mathematical problems
Mathematics
Mathematics education
Mathematics teachers
Numbers
Physics
Radioactive decay
Radioactive wastes
Random numbers
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Description
Summary:Students use random numbers to simulate radioactive decay and then compare the experimental results with the theoretical model. Graphing exponential functions, natural and common logarithms, and semilog graph paper are among the mathematics topics.
ISSN:0025-5769
2330-0582
DOI:10.5951/mathteacher.106.1.0052