An archaeologist analyzes pottery shards. If 30% of 200 shards are from a specific culture, how many shards are non-conforming?

Tue, 05 May 2026 15:03:31 +0000

Title: Unlocking Ancient Histories: How Archaeologists Analyze Pottery Shards – A Case Study Archaeologists play a vital role in uncovering human history, often piecing together stories from the smallest fragments—like pottery shards. In a recent analysis, researchers examined 200 pottery fragments from an excavation site, determining cultural origins based on design, material, and manufacturing techniques. This small sample revealed 30% belonged to a specific ancient culture, offering crucial insights into trade, migration, or local craftsmanship. But a key question arises: how many shards remain non-conforming—those not linked to that culture? Breaking down the numbers is straightforward. If 30% of 200 pottery shards belong to a particular culture, that means: - 30% of 200 = 0.30 × 200 = 60 shards
- These 60 are associated with the studied culture.