Get the information you need quickly and easily with IDNLearn.com. Discover comprehensive answers to your questions from our community of knowledgeable experts.

What is the approximate change in Greenland's ice mass from 2010 to 2011?

Use the given data points:
- 2010: -1619 gigatons
- 2011: -2082 gigatons

Show whether the change is positive or negative.


Sagot :

To determine the approximate change in Greenland's ice mass from 2010 to 2011, we will follow these steps:

1. Identify the ice mass for each year:
- For the year 2010, Greenland's ice mass was -1619 gigatons.
- For the year 2011, Greenland's ice mass was -2082 gigatons.

2. Calculate the change in ice mass:
- To find the change from 2010 to 2011, we subtract the ice mass in 2010 from the ice mass in 2011:

Change in ice mass = Ice mass in 2011 - Ice mass in 2010

Substituting the values:

Change in ice mass = -2082 - (-1619)

3. Simplify the calculation:
- When subtracting a negative number, it is equivalent to adding the positive value:

Change in ice mass = -2082 + 1619

- Perform the addition:

Change in ice mass = -463

4. Determine the sign of the change:
- The result, -463 gigatons, is a negative number.
- This indicates that Greenland's ice mass decreased from 2010 to 2011.

Therefore, the approximate change in Greenland's ice mass from 2010 to 2011 is a decrease of 463 gigatons.