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then this is the median life-time rather than the mean life-time.) This time is called the half-life, and often denoted by the symbol t_1/2. The half-life can be written in terms of the decay constant, or the mean lifetime, as:

:

When this expression is inserted for in the exponential equation above, and ln 2 is absorbed into the base, this equation becomes:

:

Thus, the amount of material left is 2^-1 = 1/2 raised to the (whole

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