Scientists can estimate the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by measuring increases in carbon emissions. In 1998 the annual carbon emission was about eight gigatons (a gigaton is a billion metric tons). Over the last several years, annual carbon emission has been increasing by about one percent.

1. At this rate, how much carbon was predicted to be emitted in 2010?

   Hint (a):

   What multiplier will you use for something that is increasing by $1\%$?

   Answer (a):

   $8(1.01)^{12}=9.015\text{ gigatons}$

2. Write a function, $C(x)$, to represent the amount of carbon emitted in any year starting with the year 2000.

   Hint (b):

   $C(x)=(\text{beginning amount})(1.01)^{\text{time}}$

   More Help (b):

   You can either calculate the beginning amount for 2000 and let time $=x$ or
   you can let the beginning amount be the same as in 1998 and let time $=x+2$.