The concentration of a drug in the body decreases exponentially after a dosage is given. In one clinical study, adult subjects averaged 12 micrograms/milliliter (mcg/mL) of the drug in their blood plasma 1 hr after a 1000-mg dosage and 5 micrograms/milliliter 6 hr after dosage.

a) Find the value k, and an equation for an exponential function that can be used to predict the concentration of the drug, in micrograms/milliliter, t hours after a 1000-mg dosage.

b) Estimate the concentration of the drug 2 hr after a 1000-mg dosage. c) To relieve a fever, the concentration of the drug should go no lower than 5 mcg/mL. After how many hours will a 1000-mg dosage drop to that level? a) = (Round to three decimal places as needed.)