After 6 half-value layers, what percentage of radiation remains?

To determine the percentage of radiation that remains after passing through a certain number of half-value layers (HVL), it's important to understand the concept of a half-value layer. A half-value layer is the thickness of material needed to reduce the intensity of radiation by half.

After each half-value layer, the remaining radiation is halved. Therefore, if you start with 100% radiation, after one half-value layer, you have 50% remaining. After two half-value layers, you would have 25% remaining (50% of 50%). Continuing this pattern:

1. After the first half-value layer: 100% / 2 = 50%

2. After the second half-value layer: 50% / 2 = 25%

3. After the third half-value layer: 25% / 2 = 12.5%

4. After the fourth half-value layer: 12.5% / 2 = 6.25%

5. After the fifth half-value layer: 6.25% / 2 = 3.125%

6. After the sixth half-value layer: 3.125% / 2 = 1.5625%

When rounded, this value is approximately