Hank raises mealworms. In a square of compost 5 ft by 5 ft, he can have 2,000 mealworms. How many mealworms can he have if his square of compost has a side length that is six times longer?

Question

a. 12,000
b. 60,000
c. 72,000
d. 300,000

Answer 1

b. 60,000

If the side length of the square of compost is six times longer, it would be 5 ft x 6 = 30 ft by 30 ft.

The area of the original square of compost is 5 ft x 5 ft = 25 sq ft.

The area of the new square of compost is 30 ft x 30 ft = 900 sq ft.

If Hank can have 2,000 mealworms in 25 sq ft, in 900 sq ft he can have 2,000 x (900/25) = 2,000 x 36 = 72,000 mealworms.

Therefore, the correct answer is 72,000 mealworms.