What is the decay factor that corresponds to a product that decreases its value first by 15%, and then decreases by 32% of its value, and finally decreases by 99% of its value?

A decrease of 15% leaves 85% of the value, so its decay factor is 0.85. A decrease of 32% leaves 68%, or 0.68, and a decrease of 99% leaves 1%, or 0.01. Multiply the factors: 0.85 × 0.68 × 0.01 = 0.00578, so the correct choice is 0.00578.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.