Answer:
it is estimated that approximately 171.51 million tons of this natural resource will be left in 2045, considering a consumption rate of 1.333% annually and no new quantities being discovered.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the extent of depletion of this natural resource over time, we can use the formula for exponential decay:
Final Amount = Initial Amount * (1 - Rate)^(Time)
Given:
Initial Amount (global stockpile in 2005) = 300 million tons
Rate of consumption = 1.333% annually (or 0.01333 as a decimal)
Time = 2045 - 2005 = 40 years
Substituting these values into the formula, we have:
Final Amount = 300 million tons * (1 - 0.01333)^(40)
Calculating this expression, we find:
Final Amount ≈ 300 million tons * (0.98667)^(40)
Final Amount ≈ 300 million tons * 0.5717
Final Amount ≈ 171.51 million tons
Therefore, it is estimated that approximately 171.51 million tons of this natural resource will be left in 2045, considering a consumption rate of 1.333% annually and no new quantities being discovered.