Which of the following methods can give a numerical date for a rock?

Absolute dating is the method that provides a numerical date for a rock, allowing geologists to determine the age of rock formations in years. This technique involves measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within the minerals of the rock, giving a quantifiable number that represents the age.

In contrast, relative dating establishes a chronological order of rock layers and events without establishing an exact age. It relies on principles such as the law of superposition, where lower layers are older than those above them, but it does not provide a specific numerical value.

While fossil correlation can be useful in identifying and matching rock layers across regions based on their fossil content, it too does not yield a numerical age but rather a relative indication of the time period during which the organisms existed. Both relative dating and fossil correlation focus on comparing layers to understand the sequence of geological events rather than assigning precise ages. Consequently, absolute dating remains the only method among the options that delivers a specific numerical age for rocks.