Question

In a study, a fish and game department worker catches, tags and frees 124 catfish in a lake. A few weeks later, he catches and frees 140 catfish. Thirty-five have tags. Estimate the number of catfish in the lake.

Answer 1

Answer: 496 catfish

Explanation:

Let the total number of catfish in the lake be x.

The ratio of tagged catfish to the total catfish population is 124:x.

Also, few weeks later, he catches and frees 140 catfish and 35 have tags. This will be expressed as:

35:140.

Combining and expressing both ratios as fractions together will be:

35/140 = 124/x

1/4 = 124/x

x = 124 × 4

x = 496

There are 496 catfish in the lake.