Question

in the formula, (avg number tagged)/(avg caught) = (total number tagged)/x, what does \x\ represent?
number of tagged individuals
estimated population size

Explanation:

This formula is related to the mark - recapture method in biology (a subfield of Natural Science). In the mark - recapture formula \(\frac{\text{Number of tagged in sample}}{\text{Size of sample}}=\frac{\text{Total number of tagged in population}}{\text{Estimated population size}}\). Here, \((\text{AVG number tagged})/(\text{AVG caught})\) is similar to \(\frac{\text{Number of tagged in sample}}{\text{Size of sample}}\), and \((\text{total number tagged})/X\) is similar to \(\frac{\text{Total number of tagged in population}}{\text{Estimated population size}}\). So \(X\) represents the estimated population size.

Answer:

B. Estimated population size