Final answer:
To adjust the immigration rate curve, scale the curve vertically by multiplying the y-values. Do the same for the extinction curve to adjust its maximum value. Based on these adjustments, the predicted number of species on the island would be closest to 30 species (option B).
Step-by-step explanation:
To adjust the immigration rate curve so that its maximum value is 4, you need to scale the curve vertically. This means multiplying all the y-values of the curve by a scaling factor that would make the maximum value 4. For example, if the maximum value of the original curve is 2, you would multiply all the y-values by 2/4 = 0.5 to get the adjusted curve.
To adjust the extinction curve so that its maximum is 2, you would follow a similar process of scaling. If the original maximum value is 3, you would multiply all the y-values by 2/3 = 0.67 to get the adjusted curve.
Based on these adjustments, the predicted number of species on the island would be closest to 30 species (option B), as this is the number that falls within the range of the adjusted curves.