in order to estimate the number of monkeys living in a certain rain forest, wayne catches 35 monkeys, marks…

in order to estimate the number of monkeys living in a certain rain forest, wayne catches 35 monkeys, marks them, and releases them. later, wayne catches 180 monkeys and notes that 15 of them are marked. to the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the monkey population?

in order to estimate the number of monkeys living in a certain rain forest, wayne catches 35 monkeys, marks them, and releases them. later, wayne catches 180 monkeys and notes that 15 of them are marked. to the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the monkey population?

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let $x$ be the total monkey - population. The proportion is $\frac{\text{marked monkeys in first catch}}{\text{total population}}=\frac{\text{marked monkeys in second catch}}{\text{size of second catch}}$, so $\frac{35}{x}=\frac{15}{180}$.

Step2: Cross - multiply

Cross - multiplying gives us $15x = 35\times180$.

Step3: Solve for $x$

First, calculate $35\times180 = 6300$. Then, $x=\frac{6300}{15}=420$.

Answer:

420