Question

3.what do gray squirrels like to eat?
year red pine cones produced oak tree acorns produced gray squirrels
2014 450 lbs 1010 17
2015 470 lbs 1005 18
2016 490 lbs 1000 20
2017 520 lbs 1005 22
2018 530 lbs 1005 23
2019 550 lbs 1010 24
2020 570 lbs 1000 25

1. are more, less, or about the same number of red pine cones being produced each year from 2014 - 2020?
2. how has the squirrel population changed since 2014?
3. what factor is affecting the squirrel population? how can you tell?
4. a logging company harvested (cut down) 50% of the pine trees in 2021. predict the number of gray squirrels there will be that year.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze red - pine cones production

From 2014 - 2020, the amount of red - pine cones produced increases from 450 lbs to 570 lbs. The production is increasing, so there are more red - pine cones being produced each year.

Step2: Analyze squirrel population change

The number of gray squirrels increases from 17 in 2014 to 25 in 2020. So the squirrel population has increased since 2014.

Step3: Identify affecting factor

The increase in the amount of red - pine cones produced seems to be related to the increase in the gray - squirrel population. As the amount of red - pine cones increases, the number of gray squirrels also increases, indicating that the availability of red - pine cones (a food source) is affecting the squirrel population.

Step4: Make prediction

If 50% of the pine trees are cut down in 2021, the amount of red - pine cones will likely decrease significantly. Since the squirrel population seems to be related to the amount of red - pine cones, the number of gray squirrels is likely to decrease. Without more information on the exact relationship, we can't give a specific number, but it will be less than 25.

Answer:

1. More red pine cones are being produced each year.
2. The squirrel population has increased since 2014.
3. The availability of red - pine cones (a food source) is affecting the squirrel population. We can tell because as the amount of red - pine cones increases, the number of gray squirrels also increases.
4. The number of gray squirrels is likely to decrease and be less than 25.