Question

2 a sparrow and a cardinal are eating sunflower seeds from a bird feeder. - the sparrow eats 8 seeds in 5 minutes. - the cardinal eats 7 seeds in 3 minutes. based on these rates, which statement is true? f the cardinal can eat 11 more seeds than the sparrow in 15 minutes. g the sparrow can eat 1 more seed than the cardinal in 1 minute. h the cardinal can eat 21 seeds in 6 minutes. j the sparrow can eat 4 seeds in 2 minutes

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate sparrow's 15-min seed count

First, find how many 5-minute intervals are in 15 minutes: $\frac{15}{5}=3$. Then multiply by seeds per interval: $8 \times 3 = 24$ seeds.

Step2: Calculate cardinal's 15-min seed count

Find how many 3-minute intervals are in 15 minutes: $\frac{15}{3}=5$. Multiply by seeds per interval: $7 \times 5 = 35$ seeds.

Step3: Find difference in 15 minutes

Subtract sparrow's count from cardinal's: $35 - 24 = 11$ seeds.

Step4: Verify other options (elimination)

• G: Sparrow's rate = $\frac{8}{5}=1.6$ seeds/min; Cardinal's rate = $\frac{7}{3}\approx2.33$ seeds/min. Cardinal eats more, so G is false.
• H: Cardinal's 6-min count: $7 \times \frac{6}{3}=14$ seeds, not 21. H is false.
• J: Sparrow's 2-min count: $8 \times \frac{2}{5}=3.2$ seeds, not 4. J is false.

Answer:

F. The cardinal can eat 11 more seeds than the sparrow in 15 minutes.