standard_description: Prove polynomial identities and use them to describe numerical relationships. For example, the polynomial identity (x^(2) + y^(2))^(2) = (x^(2 )– y^(2))^(2) + (2xy)^(2 )can be used to generate Pythagorean triples.
problem_activity: Potassium-40 has a half-life of
$${1.28\times 10^9}$$
years, which means that after that many years, half of a sample has decayed into a different isotope of carbon. If a sample began with
$${115}$$
grams of potassium-40
$${30,000,000}$$
years ago, how much is left today? How long will it be until there are only
$${50}$$
grams remaining?


aligns: no