To determine the number of rabbits in a forest a conservationist catches 60 rabbits tags them and let's them loose, later 50 rabbits are caught, 12 of which are

Question

To determine the number of rabbits in a forest a conservationist catches 60 rabbits tags them and let's them loose, later 50 rabbits are caught, 12 of which are tagged. Estimate how many rabbits are in the forest.

Answer 1

R/50 = 60/12, ratio of rabbits to tags remains the same or equal

cross multiply (numerator in 1st fraction by the denominator in the other fraction, set equal to the denominator in the 1st fraction by the numerator in the other fraction)

12R = 3000

R = 3000/12 = 250 rabbits

or R/50 = 60/12 = 5

R=5(50)=250 rabbits