The Tip of the Iceberg
An iceberg was observed, with a mass of 18 tonnes.
Each day the iceberg loses 2% of its mass.
What is the mass of the iceberg (in tonnes) two weeks after it is first observed?
Round your answer to 1 decimal place.
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1 solution
After 1 day, the iceberg has mass 1 8 × 0 . 9 8 tonnes.
After 2 days, the iceberg has mass 1 8 × 0 . 9 8 2 tonnes.
After 3 days, the iceberg has mass 1 8 × 0 . 9 8 3 tonnes.
Can you spot the pattern?
In general, after n days the iceberg has mass 1 8 × 0 . 9 8 n tonnes.
Therefore, the mass after two weeks is 1 8 × 0 . 9 8 1 4 = 1 3 . 6 tonnes (to 1 d.p.)