Hank raises mealworms. In a square of compost 5 ft by 5 ft, he can have 2,000 mealworms. How many mealworms can he have if his square of compost has a side length that is six times longer?
a. 12,000
b. 60,000
c. 72,000
d. 300,000
b. 60,000
If the side length of the square of compost is six times longer, it would be 5 ft x 6 = 30 ft by 30 ft.
The area of the original square of compost is 5 ft x 5 ft = 25 sq ft.
The area of the new square of compost is 30 ft x 30 ft = 900 sq ft.
If Hank can have 2,000 mealworms in 25 sq ft, in 900 sq ft he can have 2,000 x (900/25) = 2,000 x 36 = 72,000 mealworms.
Therefore, the correct answer is 72,000 mealworms.