Problema Solution
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 = x^2(x - 380) + 2(x - 380) = (x^2 + 2)(x - 380)
we need to find the real solution of
(x^2 + 2)(x - 380) = 0
the real solution is x = 380
indeed if we plug x = 380 in x^3 – 380x^2 + 2x – 760 = 0 we get
380^3 – 380*380^2 + 2*380 – 760 = 0
the record amount of carbon dioxide is 380 ppm.