Global Warming Trend Graph, Essay Example

A global warming data were chosen as a source of ordered pairs (“Average Global Temperatures”). Intervals of ten years (such as 1930-1939) are represented by one year from the middle of decade (such as 1935).

Fig. 1 – Trend graph of the average global temperature (1935-2007)

This graph shows that average global temperature has a tendency to increase over time. Data on the graph form a nonlinear shape. Before 1975 average temperature differed slightly, but in last 25 years, its increase became nearly linear. The data are approximated by the linear equation that shows the tendency, though the change in average global temperature that took place is equal to 1.2 °F. Red lines show another approximation; here for the years 1935-1975 average temperature is approximately 57.05 °F. Average temperature in 2002-2007 can be calculated as an arithmetic average of each year temperatures;

t°=(58.02*2+57/98+58.11+57.99+58.01)/6=58.02[°F]

So the change can be estimated as (58.02 – 57.05)/(2007-1975)=0.030[°F]/[year]. The second red line shows this approximation.

Nowadays, a lot of scientists are preoccupied with global warming, so probably this increase can be explained by climatic changes. If there were more ordered pairs that represented each year, converting these data into algebraic display could provide a background for prediction of future temperatures and analysis of the current situation.

Works Cited

“Average Global Temperatures, 1900-2007.” World Almanac & Book of Facts (2009): 656. Middle Search Plus. EBSCO. Web. 24 Nov. 2010.