Final answer:
To estimate the number of people who caught a cold, multiply the total population by the percentage who fell ill, which is 0.13 × 15,734, equaling 2,045.42.
Step-by-step explanation:
To estimate the number of people in the region who caught a cold within the past month, apply the given percentage to the total population. In this case, 13% of the 15,734 people in the region are estimated to have caught a cold. The calculation is as follows:
Number of people who caught a cold = 13% of 15,734 = 0.13 × 15,734 = 2,045.42.
Therefore, the closest estimate to the number of people who caught a cold within the past month is option C, 2,045.42, when rounded to the nearest whole number.