We can set up a proportion to solve this. 9 lions were tagged out of a sample of 50. This gives us the ratio 9/50 for the first part of the proportion.
For the second ratio, we know 85 lions were tagged out of an unknown population; this gives us 85/x.
Our proportion is
9/50 = 85/x
Cross multiply:
9*x = 50*85
9x = 4250
Divide both sides by 9:
9x/9 = 4250/9
x = 472.222
To the nearest whole number, this is 472 sea lions.
Step-by-step explanation:
We can set up a proportion to solve this. 9 lions were tagged out of a sample of 50. This gives us the ratio 9/50 for the first part of the proportion.
For the second ratio, we know 85 lions were tagged out of an unknown population; this gives us 85/x.
Our proportion is
9/50 = 85/x
Cross multiply:
9*x = 50*85
9x = 4250
Divide both sides by 9:
9x/9 = 4250/9
x = 472.222
To the nearest whole number, this is 472 sea lions.
