Phytoremediation is the use of plant growth to purify pollutants from soil, water, or air. Suppose that a crop of brake ferns can remove 15 milligrams (mg) per square meter of a particular pollutant from the soil in 20 weeks. After 20 weeks, the ferns are harvested and a new crop is planted. If c represents the number of crops of brake ferns needed to phytoremediate soil contaminated with170 mg per square meter of the pollutant down to healthy levels of 5 mg per square meter, which equation best models the situation?

A) 170 - 20c = 5

B) 170 + 20c = 5

C) 170 - 15c = 5

D) 170 + 15c = 5

Question

Jamie Kirk

Mathematics

30 September, 08:02

Phytoremediation is the use of plant growth to purify pollutants from soil, water, or air. Suppose that a crop of brake ferns can remove 15 milligrams (mg) per square meter of a particular pollutant from the soil in 20 weeks. After 20 weeks, the ferns are harvested and a new crop is planted. If c represents the number of crops of brake ferns needed to phytoremediate soil contaminated with170 mg per square meter of the pollutant down to healthy levels of 5 mg per square meter, which equation best models the situation?

A) 170 - 20c = 5

B) 170 + 20c = 5

C) 170 - 15c = 5

D) 170 + 15c = 5

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Grant Schmidt · Answer 1

One crop of brake ferns can reduce the pollutant concentration by 15 mg/m^2, so the equation must contain the number 15 multiplied by c, the number of crops of brake ferns.

Since the brake ferns reduce concentration, the sign must be - 15c.

The only choice that fits this is Choice C) 170 - 15c = 5