Question

a high school biology class helped measure the squirrel population in a local park. first, a team of park rangers marked 48 squirrels in the park. a week later, the class went to the park and counted a total of 750 squirrels, of which 24 were marked. to the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the squirrel population?

Explanation:

Step1: Set up proportion

Let \( N \) be the total population. The proportion of marked squirrels in the sample should equal the proportion of marked squirrels in the population. So \(\frac{48}{N}=\frac{24}{750}\)

Step2: Solve for \( N \)

Cross - multiply: \( 24N = 48\times750 \)
First, calculate \( 48\times750=36000 \)
Then, \( N=\frac{36000}{24} = 1500 \)

Answer:

1500