Question

charles darwin hypothesized that some individuals would be better equipped for survival than others, and that those that were less equipped would not survive. darwin formulated this hypothesis based on the work of which scholar?
o john gould, who compared mainland and island finches
o thomas malthus, who studied population growth
o sir isaac newton, who formulated the laws of motion
o gregor mendel, who determined genetic inheritance of traits

Explanation:

Thomas Malthus' work on population growth, which stated that populations grow geometrically while resources grow arithmetically, leading to competition for resources. This concept of competition for survival influenced Darwin's hypothesis of natural selection (where better - equipped individuals survive). John Gould's work was more about species identification. Newton's laws are about motion. Mendel's work is on genetics.

Answer:

Thomas Malthus, who studied population growth.