In a study, a fish and game department worker catches, tags, and frees 124 catfish in a lake. A few weeks later he catches and frees 140 catfish. 35 have tags. Estimate the number of catfish in a lake. (Hint: set up and solve a proportion).
The correct answer is 496
oops...backwards
35 / 124 = 140 / n
To estimate the number of catfish in the lake, we can set up a proportion using the information given. Let's call the total number of catfish in the lake "x".
First, we know that the worker caught, tagged, and freed 124 catfish, so the proportion of tagged catfish to the total number of catfish is 35/124.
Similarly, in the second catch, 35 catfish were tagged out of 140 caught and freed. So the proportion of the tagged catfish to the total number of catfish is 35/140.
We can set up the proportion as follows:
35/124 = 35/x
To solve for x, we can cross multiply:
35 * x = 35 * 124
Now, divide both sides of the equation by 35:
x = (35 * 124) / 35
x = 124
Therefore, the estimated number of catfish in the lake is 124.
35 / 124 = n / 140
I forgot to add in
A: 31
B:397
C:496
D:39.5
but thanks for tryn to help