using the decay law formula N=No x e^-kt
at  t=0,  No=5 million barrels
at  t= 6years,  N= 2,500,000 barrels=No/2
a) the rate is 5 millions - 3,000,000=2,000,000 barrels
b) let t this time
so N=No x e^-kt, implies  250,000=5,000,000,x e^-kt
25=500,x e^-kt, Â 5=100,x e^-kt, we must search for k,
at  t=0,  No=5 million barrels
at  t= 6years,  N= 2,500,000 barrels=No/2
so   N=No/2=No x e^-kt implies 1/2=e^-6k, so ln(1/2)= lne^ -6k, implies soÂ
-0.69= -6k and  k= 0.11
finally we can use N=No x e^-0.11t
250,000= 5,000,000 x e^-0.11t
1= 20 x e^-0.11t and 1/20= e^-011t,  0.05=e^-0.11t, ln(0.05)= - 0.11t
-3= -0.11t, so t = 27.22 years