Problema Solution

High concentrations of carbon monoxide CO can cause coma and possible death. The time required for a person to reach a COHb level capable of causing a coma can be approximated by the quadratic model T=.0002x^2−.316x+​127.9, where T is the exposure time in hours necessary to reach this level and 500≤x≤800 is the amount of carbon monoxide present in the air in parts per million​ (ppm).

​a) What is the exposure time when x=570570​?

​b) Estimate the concentration of CO necessary to produce a coma in 88 hr.

What is the exposure time when x=570570​?

Answer provided by our tutors

a) Plug the value for x = 570 into T=.0002x^2−.316x+​127.9:

T=.0002*570^2−.316*570+​127.9

T = 12.76 hours

The exposure time when x=570 is 12.76 hours.

b) T = 88 hr and we need to find x

0.0002x^2−0.316x+​127.9 = 88

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click here to see the equation solved for x

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x1 = 1441.61 ppm

x2 = 138.39 ppm