the owners of a golf course hired a company to determine how many squirrels were living on their property…

the owners of a golf course hired a company to determine how many squirrels were living on their property. first, the company put marks on 200 squirrels. later, the company returned and counted a total of 810 squirrels, of which 60 were marked. to the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the squirrel population?

the owners of a golf course hired a company to determine how many squirrels were living on their property. first, the company put marks on 200 squirrels. later, the company returned and counted a total of 810 squirrels, of which 60 were marked. to the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the squirrel population?

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let $x$ be the total squirrel population. The proportion is $\frac{\text{marked squirrels in first - catch}}{\text{total population}}=\frac{\text{marked squirrels in second - catch}}{\text{total in second - catch}}$, so $\frac{200}{x}=\frac{60}{810}$.

Step2: Cross - multiply

Cross - multiplying gives $60x = 200\times810$.

Step3: Solve for $x$

First, calculate $200\times810 = 162000$. Then $x=\frac{162000}{60}=2700$.

Answer:

2700