Problema Solution
2. Science Application: Greenhouse Gas Puzzle:
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to increase and are suspected to contribute to global warming. The solution to the polynomial equation
x3 – 380x2 + 2x – 760 = 0
gives the record high amount of carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm) in 2005, as measured at Mauna Loa Observatory.
Determine this record amount.
Answer provided by our tutors
x^3 + 380x^2 +2x +760 =0
x^2 (x+380) +2(x+380) = 0
(x+380)(x^2 +2) = 0
x= -380 as x^2 is not equal to zero