Question

1. a researcher tagged 40 giant turtles in 2008. In 2009, she returned and captured 50 turtles, 16 of which were tagged. In 2010 she returned again and captured 30 turtles, 8 of which were tagged.

A. Use a proportion to estimate the turtle population for 2009
B. Use a proportion to estimate the turtle population for 2010

Answer 1

Given:
2008 - 40 giant turtles tagged
2009 - 50 turtles capture where 16 were tagged
2010 - 30 turtles capture where 8 were tagged

2009:
40/x = 16/50
40*50 = 16x
2000 = 16x
2000/16 = x
125 = x

2010:
40/x = 8/30
40*30 = 8x
1200 = 8x
1200/8 = x
150 = x