Note: Enter your answer and show all the steps that you use to solve this problem in the space provided. A researcher tagged 40 giant turtles in 2008. In 2009, she returned and captured 50 turtles, 16 of which were tagged. In 2010, she returned again and captured 30 turtles, 8 of which were tagged. Use a proportion to estimate the turtle population for 2009. Use a proportion to estimate the turtle population for 2010.
To estimate the turtle population for 2009 using a proportion, we can set up the following equation:
40/2008 = 16/x
where x represents the estimated turtle population for 2009.
To solve for x, we can cross-multiply and simplify:
40x = 16 * 2008
x = (16 * 2008) / 40
x = 804
Therefore, we can estimate that the turtle population for 2009 was around 804.
Using the same approach, we can estimate the turtle population for 2010:
40/2008 = 8/x
40x = 8 * 2008
x = (8 * 2008) / 40
x = 402
Thus, we can estimate that the turtle population for 2010 was around 402.