Question

a scientist records the number of deer observed in three areas of a forest. the table shows her observations.

area	square miles	number of deer
b	17	153
c	26	234

how many deer per square mile did the scientist observe in the forest?

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate total square miles

To find the total area in square miles, we add the square miles of each area. So, \(18 + 17 + 26\).
\(18+17 = 35\), then \(35 + 26 = 61\)? Wait, no, wait: \(18+17 = 35\), \(35 + 26 = 61\)? Wait, no, 18 + 17 is 35, 35 + 26: 35 + 20 = 55, 55 + 6 = 61? Wait, no, wait the table: Area A:18, Area B:17, Area C:26. So total square miles: \(18 + 17 + 26 = 61\)? Wait, no, 18 + 17 is 35, 35 + 26: 35 + 26 = 61? Wait, but let's check the number of deer.

Step2: Calculate total number of deer

Now, total number of deer: \(162 + 153 + 234\). Let's add them: 162 + 153 = 315, then 315 + 234 = 549.

Step3: Calculate deer per square mile

Deer per square mile is total deer divided by total square miles. So, \(\frac{549}{61}\)? Wait, that can't be right. Wait, maybe I made a mistake in adding. Wait, 18 + 17 + 26: 18 + 17 is 35, 35 + 26: 35 + 20 = 55, 55 + 6 = 61. 162 + 153: 160 + 150 = 310, 2 + 3 = 5, so 315. 315 + 234: 300 + 200 = 500, 15 + 34 = 49, so 549. Then 549 divided by 61: 619 = 549. Oh! So 549 ÷ 61 = 9. Wait, because 619 = 549. So that's correct.

Wait, let's verify each area's deer per square mile. Area A: 162 ÷ 18 = 9. Area B: 153 ÷ 17 = 9. Area C: 234 ÷ 26 = 9. Oh! So each area has 9 deer per square mile. So total deer is 162 + 153 + 234 = 549, total square miles is 18 + 17 + 26 = 61. Wait, but 549 ÷ 61 = 9. Because 61*9 = 549. So that's correct. So the deer per square mile is 9.

Answer:

9