SOLUTION: In 1950 the average global temperature was 57.2 degrees F. Since that year the temperature has risen at a rate of .05 percent per year. Some estimates claim that the polar ice caps

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Question 1058765: In 1950 the average global temperature was 57.2 degrees F. Since that year the temperature has risen at a rate of .05 percent per year. Some estimates claim that the polar ice caps could melt if the average global temperature were raised 5 degrees. If the current growth rate remains the same what year would the polar ice caps melt?
(0.0005*57.2)/5 + 1950
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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In 1950 the average global temperature was 57.2 degrees F.
Since that year the temperature has risen at a rate of .05 percent per year.
Some estimates claim that the polar ice caps could melt if the average global temperature were raised 5 degrees.
If the current growth rate remains the same, what year would the polar ice caps
melt?
:
let y = no. of years for temp to rise 5 degrees to 62.2 degrees
57.2%2A%281.0005%5Ey%29+=+62.2
1.0005%5Ey+=+62.2%2F57.2
using natural logs
y%2Aln%281.0005%29+=+ln%2862.2%2F57.2%29
find the logs
y * .0005 = .0838
y = .0838%2F.0005
y = 167.6 years
"If the current growth rate remains the same, what year would the polar ice caps
melt?"
1950 + 167.6 = 2117.6 ~ the year 2117 this would occur