to track the reptile population around a lake, researchers marked 200 turtles. a few weeks later, they…

to track the reptile population around a lake, researchers marked 200 turtles. a few weeks later, they counted 480 turtles, of which 64 were marked. to the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the turtle population?

to track the reptile population around a lake, researchers marked 200 turtles. a few weeks later, they counted 480 turtles, of which 64 were marked. to the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the turtle population?

Answer

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let $x$ be the total turtle population. The proportion is $\frac{\text{marked turtles}}{\text{total population}}=\frac{\text{marked - turtles in sample}}{\text{sample size}}$, so $\frac{200}{x}=\frac{64}{480}$.

Step2: Cross - multiply

Cross - multiplying gives $64x = 200\times480$.

Step3: Solve for $x$

First, calculate $200\times480 = 96000$. Then $x=\frac{96000}{64}=1500$.

Answer:

1500