Finishing up homework for math and I have a 3 part question. I'm sure once I figure out what I need to do in the first part, I'll be fine for the second and third parts. That being said, how do I set up this word problem? I'm not entirely sure what its asking for and not sure if I'm going in the right direction. I know if I get the first part wrong, I'll get the second and third parts wrong, as well, so a little help will be much appreciated. Here's the problem.
3. To estimate animal populations, biologists count the total number of animals in a small section of a habitat. The total population of animals is directly proportional to the size of the habitat (in acres) polled.
a. Write an equation using only one variable that could be used to solve for the constant of variation k.
b. A biologist counted 12 white tail deer in a 100-acre parcel of land in a nature preserve. Find the constant of variation k.
c. If the entire nature preserve is 2,500 acres, then what is the total white tail deer population in the preserve? Describe how you arrived at your answer.
I don't need the answers, just a point in the right directions. Thanks much in advance!
3. To estimate animal populations, biologists count the total number of animals in a small section of a habitat. The total population of animals is directly proportional to the size of the habitat (in acres) polled.
a. Write an equation using only one variable that could be used to solve for the constant of variation k.
b. A biologist counted 12 white tail deer in a 100-acre parcel of land in a nature preserve. Find the constant of variation k.
c. If the entire nature preserve is 2,500 acres, then what is the total white tail deer population in the preserve? Describe how you arrived at your answer.
I don't need the answers, just a point in the right directions. Thanks much in advance!
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Let's abbreviate the number of animals as N.
Let's abbreviate the number of acres as A.
a. N = k A. The equation has TWO variables. I don't see how you could use only one variable.
Notice that the problem said "directly proportional". That means if one variable increases, the other increases also. These problems always use multiplication (k times A in this problem).
b. 12 = k (100). So k = 12/100 = 0.12
If your teacher wants to see all the units:
12 deer = k (100 acre). k = 12 deer/100 acre = 0.12 deer/acre
c. N = (0.12 deer/acre)(2500 acre) = 300 deer
Let's abbreviate the number of acres as A.
a. N = k A. The equation has TWO variables. I don't see how you could use only one variable.
Notice that the problem said "directly proportional". That means if one variable increases, the other increases also. These problems always use multiplication (k times A in this problem).
b. 12 = k (100). So k = 12/100 = 0.12
If your teacher wants to see all the units:
12 deer = k (100 acre). k = 12 deer/100 acre = 0.12 deer/acre
c. N = (0.12 deer/acre)(2500 acre) = 300 deer