Suppose that the caloric return rates from hunting among the Efe vary by the number of people who participate in the hunt.

Question

The total average catch made by a hunting group varies by the hunting group size in the following way:

 

Group Size           Average Group Catch/Day

      1                                40 kg

      2                              120 kg

      3                              270 kg

      4                              500 kg

      5                              520 kg

      6                              600 kg

      7                              500 kg

      8                              320 kg

 

Assume that after a day’s work, the catch is distributed equally among all hunting group members. 

a) What’s the optimal hunting group size for the Efe?

b) Suppose Efe Band A has 3 members and Efe Band B has 6 members. A lone Efe who had come visiting wished to join one of these bands. Which of the two bands should be more eager to add another group member to their band, and why?

Answer 1

"Optimal" size here would be the most ideal size group, or the size of group that allows them to catch the most prey.

 

So, let's reason on the table here. You can catch 40kg of meat alone, but with a friend, you guys catch 3 times as much, 120kg! That's awesome! With another friend, making a total of 3 people, you guys can catch 270kg! More meat! So look at the table, and see where your hunting group maxes out. That is the optimal hunting group size.

 

The thing about the "optimal" group size is that's where you max out. If you add more members to your hunting party, instead of being more efficient, you guys will just be slowed down as a group. Like when you need to make lasagna in the kitchen, having your Italian grandmother with you can be extremely helpful, and maybe a cousin to help stir the meat sauce. But when six of your aunts want to squeeze into your tiny kitchen, there's no longer any elbow room for anyone to get anything done. Hope that illustration helps.