if there are 16 marked whales,
81 intotal whales counted,
and 12 marked whales counted
what is the best estament of whale population?
To estimate the whale population, we can use the concept of proportions.
Given that there are 16 marked whales and a total of 81 whales counted, we can set up a proportion:
(16 marked whales) / (81 total whales) = (12 marked whales) / (unknown total whale population)
Cross-multiplying the proportion:
(16 marked whales) * (unknown total population) = (81 total whales) * (12 marked whales)
Dividing both sides by 16:
unknown total population = (81 total whales * 12 marked whales) / 16 marked whales
Simplifying the equation:
unknown total population = (81 * 12) / 16
unknown total population = 972 / 16
unknown total population = 60.75
Therefore, the best estimate of the whale population based on the given information is approximately 60.75 whales. However, since we are dealing with whole numbers when counting whales, it would be reasonable to round this estimate down to 60 whales.