Question

One measure of average global temperature shows how each year varies from a base measure. The table shows results for several years.

Year	1958	1964	1965	1978	2002
Difference from base	0.10°C	– 0.17°C	– 0.10°C	`(1/50)^circ`C	0.54°C

See the table and answer the following:

1. Order the five years from coldest to warmest.
2. In 1946, the average temperature varied by – 0.03°C from the base measure. Between which two years should 1946 fall when the years are ordered from coldest to warmest?

Answer 1

In year 1978, temperature is `(1/50)^circ`C = 0.02°C

a. By observing coldest to warmest order is ascending order.

∴ – 0.17°C < – 0.10°C < 0.02°C < 0.10°C < 0.54°C

Order of years is 1964 < 1965 < 1978 < 1958 < 2002

b. In 1946, the temperature is – 0.03°C

We know that, – 0.03°C lies between – 0.10°C and `(1/50)^circ`C or 0.02°C

∴ – 0.10°C < – 0.03°C < 0.02°C

Hence, the coldest to warmest order including 1946 is 1964 < 1965 < 1946 < 1978 < 1958 < 2002.