How do I find "Approximately what fraction of the museum's specimens are dried plants. Explain how you determined your answer."

[dollyayesha2345]

Total specimen given is [math]2.1*10^6=21,000,000[/math]Dried plants[math]5.0*10^6=5,000,000[/math]and a table of 5 categories(including dried plants) is provided

Now how do I find the approximate fraction as per the question!?

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Total specimen given is 2.1[math]2.1*10^6=21,000,000[/math]Dried plants[math]5.0*10^6=5,000,000[/math]and a table of 5 categories(including dried plants) is provided

Now how do I find the approximate fraction as per the question!?

Suppose you had, say, 21 specimens of which 5 were dried plants. How would you find the fraction of the total that are dried plants? Show us.

Then do the same thing for the actual problem.

 

[dollyayesha2345]

Suppose you had, say, 21 specimens of which 5 were dried plants. How would you find the fraction of the total that are dried plants? Show us.

Then do the same thing for the actual problem.

I think the answer is 5/21 because 5(total categories) upon the total number. But it doesn't feel correct to me idk why!

 

[Dr.Peterson]

I think the answer is 5/21 because 5(total categories) upon the total number. But it doesn't feel correct to me idk why!

No, the number of categories is irrelevant.

Are you saying that if there were only two categories, with 5 plants and 16 animals for the same total of 21 specimens, the answer would be 2/21?

 

[dollyayesha2345]

No, the number of categories is irrelevant.

Are you saying that if there were only two categories, with 5 plants and 16 animals for the same total of 21 specimens, the answer would be 2/21?

no, this is the table provided in the question. hence I said 5/21 I know I am wrong but I don't know why am I wrong.

 

[Dr.Peterson]

no, this is the table provided in the question. hence I said 5/21 I know I am wrong but I don't know why am I wrong.

If you're saying you know you're wrong, not because of your method but because you were told the number is wrong, you should check your total. It is not 2.1 * 10^6!

 

[dollyayesha2345]

View attachment 29582

If you're saying you know you're wrong, not because of your method but because you were told the number is wrong, you should check your total. It is not 2.1 * 10^6!

I know I am wrong because I am solving it with no clue whatsoever at all. There's no one to guide me. So I judge myself.

 

[Dr.Peterson]

I know I am wrong because I am solving it with no clue whatsoever at all. There's no one to guide me. So I judge myself.

Okay, so now what you need to do is to show the details of your work.

You've taken one important step by showing the actual problem rather than just the last step, so we know that your addition of the five numbers is wrong, as I said.

Now talk us through how you did that addition, so we can see where you are going wrong, and what method you are using. (There are a couple ways you might have been taught to do such an addition.)

If you have no lesson materials to go by, try this:

Adding or Subtracting Numbers Written in Scientific Notation with Different Exponents | Algebra | Study.com

Learn how to add or subtract numbers written in scientific notation with different exponents, and see examples that walk through sample problems step-by-step for you to improve your math knowledge and skills.

study.com

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Total specimen given is [math]2.1*10^6=21,000,000[/math]Dried plants[math]5.0*10^6=5,000,000[/math]and a table of 5 categories(including dried plants) is provided

Now how do I find the approximate fraction as per the question!?

Total # of specimens = (1.5 + 50 + 5000 + 7 + 7000 ) * 10³ = 12058.5 * 10^3 = 12.0585 * 10^6

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