Final answer:
After setting up and solving an equation based on the number of stripes per fish, we find that the ratio of male to female punky fish is 7:5.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the ratio of male fish to female fish based on the number of stripes, we need to set up a system of equations using the information provided: A male punky fish has 9 stripes and a female punky fish has 8 stripes. If there are 86 stripes total we can use the following expressions:
- Let m = number of male fish
- Let f = number of female fish
The total number of stripes from male fish is 9m and from female fish is 8f. Summed together, they equal the total number of stripes observed:
9m + 8f = 86
Now, we need to find values of m and f that satisfy this equation. Since the number of stripes is a whole number, m and f must also be whole numbers. One way to solve this is to express one variable in terms of the other and look for whole-number solutions:
m = (86 - 8f) / 9
By trying different values of f (the number of female fish), we find that the only whole number solution for both m and f where f is lesser than or equal to 10 (since the average number of fish is 10) is when f = 5 and m = 7. Thus, there are 7 male fish and 5 female fish in the tank.
To find the ratio of male fish to female fish, we place the number of male fish over the number of female fish:
Ratio of male to female fish = 7 : 5