A classroom/laboratory activity to learn and apply polynomial differentiation and to solve tangent line problems for global average CO2 data.
Students will observe the trend in increasing atmospheric CO2 levels, infer when atmospheric CO2 levels could cause global temperatures to increase by 2 °C (potentially leading to serious climate-change related problems), and determine rates of change of CO2 levels by performing polynomial differentiation and solving tangent line problems. They will use atmospheric CO2 data from the Mauna Loa site for the period 1950 to 2017.
Use this tool to help your students find answers to:
1. Plot a graph and find the polynomial equation to model the average yearly atmospheric CO2 levels from 1950 to 2017 (using data records provided).
2. Compare and analyze the rate of change of atmospheric CO2 levels by applying Polynomial Differentiation.
3. Based on observed trends, what will the atmospheric CO2 level be in 2100?
About the Tool
Tool Name
Mauna Loa Yearly Average CO2
Discipline
Mathematics
Topic(s) in Discipline
Differentiation; Polynomial Differentiation; Tangent Line Problem
Climate Topic
Climate and the Anthroposphere; Climate Variability Record
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
