A metal refining plant emits sulfur dioxide into the air and has decided to install air scrubbers to reduce the amount of pollution.Each scrubber costs $180,000 and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)fines the plant $5,000 for every part of pollution emitted per million. $\begin{array}{cccc}
\text { Number of air } & \text { Amount of pollution } \
\text { scrubbers } & \text { (parts per milion) } \
0 &150\
1&100\
2&60\
3&30\
4&10\
5&0
\end{array}$
Based on the information above,the first air scrubber __________ (increases/decreases)the total cost of pollution by $______.

Question

A metal refining plant emits sulfur dioxide into the air and has decided to install air scrubbers to reduce the amount of pollution.Each scrubber costs $180,000 and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)fines the plant $5,000 for every part of pollution emitted per million. $\begin{array}{cccc}
  \text { Number of air  } & \text { Amount of pollution  }  \
 \text { scrubbers } & \text { (parts per milion) } \
0 &150\
1&100\
2&60\
3&30\
4&10\
5&0
\end{array}$
 Based on the information above,the first air scrubber __________ (increases/decreases)the total cost of pollution by $______.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first air scrubber decreases the total cost of pollution by $70,000. This is calculated by considering the reduction in fines and the cost of the scrubber. Without any scrubbers, the fine is $5,000 * 150 = $750,000. With one scrubber, the fine is $5,000 * 100 = $500,000. The reduction in fines is $250,000, and subtracting the cost of the scrubber ($180,000) from this amount gives a net decrease of $70,000.

A Metal Refining Plant Emits Sulfur Dioxide into the Air