Female diamondback terrapins lay eggs 2-3 times per year. Each clutch (group of eggs) can contain anywhere from 4-23 eggs. If a female diamondback has been laying eggs for 18 years, what is the greatest amount of eggs she could have laid? The least?
To find the greatest and least amount of eggs that a female diamondback terrapin could have laid in 18 years, we need to consider the number of clutches she lays per year and the range of eggs per clutch.
Given that female diamondback terrapins lay eggs 2-3 times per year, we can calculate the potential number of clutches laid over 18 years.
The greatest amount of eggs she could have laid:
Considering the maximum number of clutches per year (3), we multiply it by the number of years (18) to get the maximum number of clutches: 3 x 18 = 54 clutches.
Next, we need to consider the maximum range of eggs per clutch, which is 4-23.
To find the greatest number of eggs, we calculate the maximum number of clutches (54) multiplied by the maximum eggs per clutch (23): 54 x 23 = 1242 eggs.
Therefore, the greatest amount of eggs she could have laid in 18 years is 1,242 eggs.
The least amount of eggs she could have laid:
Considering the minimum number of clutches per year (2), we multiply it by the number of years (18) to get the minimum number of clutches: 2 x 18 = 36 clutches.
Next, we need to consider the minimum range of eggs per clutch, which is 4-23.
To find the least number of eggs, we calculate the minimum number of clutches (36) multiplied by the minimum eggs per clutch (4): 36 x 4 = 144 eggs.
Therefore, the least amount of eggs she could have laid in 18 years is 144 eggs.