a researcher tagged 40 giant turtles in 2008. in 2009 she returned and captured 50 turtles, 16 of which were tagged. In 2010, she returned again and captured 30 turtles, 8 of which were tagged.

Question

a. use a proportion to estimate the turtle population for 2009
b. use a proportion to estimate the turtle population for 2010

Answer 1

in 2008 all 40 caught were tagged...
so... in 2009
16tags/50 caught = 40 tags/TOTAL
solving for x you obtain
(50x40) = 16(TOTAL)
2000 = 16(TOTAL) thus divide both sides by 16...
In 2009 there were 125 turtles
Now you try 2010...

Answer 2

thank you i did it!!!!:)))))

Answer 3

Dear Ms Sue... please check my math... as it is late, and I may not truly be thinking straight :)

Answer 4

Excellent : )

Answer 5

16tags/50 caught = 40 tags/TOTAL
16T = 2000
T = 125

Yep! I got the same answer! :-)

Answer 6

Nighty Night from Canada! I was up early to watch the Royal Wedding :)

Answer 7

And good night from southeastern Michigan! It was good to see something beautiful and positive today.

Answer 8

In 2009, 16/50 = 32% of the population was tagged, making the population 40/.32 = 125 (P/40 = 50/16)

In 2010, 8/30 = 26.7% of the population was tagged. So, the population is about 150 (P/40 = 30/8)