Randy is starting a beehive so that he can have fresh honey. He decides to check the current population of bees in the hive by marking 160 bees. Later, Randy collects 240 bees and observes that 30 of them are marked. What is the BEST estimate for the bee population?
Responses
A 1,2001,200
B 1,3001,300
C 1,2401,240
D 1,280
Randy is starting a beehive so that he can have fresh honey. He decides to check the current population of bees in the hive by marking 160 bees. Later, Randy collects 240 bees and observes that 30 of them are marked. What is the BEST estimate for the bee population?
Responses
A 1,200
B 1,300
C 1,240
D 1,280
To find the best estimate for the bee population, we can use proportions. If 160 out of the original population were marked, that means the ratio of marked bees to total bees is 160/x, where x is the total population. We can set up a proportion with the new sample of 240 bees and the 30 marked ones:
160/x = 30/240
Cross-multiplying gives:
30x = 240 * 160
30x = 38,400
x = 1,280
Therefore, the best estimate for the bee population is D) 1,280.