Question

question 3 of 10
to create a simulation of 100,000 ants moving around inside a colony, a scientist needs to determine the average traveling speed for an actual ant. which of the following is the best course of action for establishing this parameter?
a. choose a random value to represent the average traveling speed of an ant.
b. determine the average traveling speed for 20 randomly selected ants.
c. divide the total distance traveled by 100,000 ants in a day by 24 hours.
d. measure the traveling speed of a single ant, and assume all ants are the same

Explanation:

Step1: Consider sample representativeness

A sample of 20 randomly - selected ants can give a more reliable estimate of the population (100,000 ants) average speed compared to other options.

Step2: Analyze other options

• Option A: Choosing a random value is arbitrary and not based on real - world data.
• Option C: Dividing total distance of 100,000 ants by 24 hours gives an overall colony - level measure, not the average speed of an individual ant.
• Option D: Assuming all ants have the same speed as a single ant is inaccurate as there is natural variation among ants.

Answer:

B. Determine the average traveling speed for 20 randomly selected ants.