The table gives the estimated global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil-fuel burning, cement production, and gas flaring over the last century. The CO₂ estimates are expressed in millions of metric tons.

a. Plot the data, letting x = 0 correspond to 1900. Do the emissions appear to grow linearly or exponentially?

b. Find an exponential function in the form of fx = f₀a^x that fits this data at 1900 and 2000, where x is the number of years since 1900 and f(x) is the CO₂ emissions.
c. Approximate the average annual percentage increase in CO₂ emissions during this time period.

d. Graph and estimate the first year when emissions will be at least double what they were in 2000.

Transcribed Image Text:

Year 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 CO₂ Emissions (millions of metric tons) 534 819 932 1053 1299 1630 2577 4076 5330 6143 6672