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Dating Made Easier

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star
Secondary curriculum
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Dating Made Easier printable sheet
 

If a sum invested gains $10\%$ each year how long will it be before it has doubled its value?

If an object depreciates in value by $10\%$ each year how long will it take until only half of the original value remains?

Why aren't these two answers the same?

graph showing an appreciation and a depreciation curve

Is there a rate, used for both gain and depreciation, for which those two answers would actually be the same? How do you know?

 

If this problem caught your interest and you know some Stage 5 mathematics, this Plus article on Carbon Dating could be a good next step for you.

 

 

 

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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