Question

In January 1980 the Mauna Loa Observatory recorded carbon dioxide CO₂ levels of $338$ ppm (parts per million). Over the years the average CO₂ reading has increased by about $1.515$ ppm each year. What is the expected CO₂ level in ppm in January 2030? Round your answer to the nearest integer.

$399$

$414$

$420$

$444$

$459$

Video solution:

Click to load, then click again to play

Written solution:

There are $50$ years between $1980$ and $2030$ , so we can expect the CO₂ reading to increase by $50 \times 1.515 = 75.75 \approx 76$ ppm by $2030$ . Since the CO₂ reading in $1980$ was $338$ ppm, then we will have $338 + 76 = 414$ ppm by $2030$ .

Thus, B is the correct answer.

2024 AMC 8 Problem 10

Video solution:

Written solution:

Problem 10 in Other Years