Question

a marine biologist is studying the humpback whale population around the hawaiian islands. in the summer, there are no humpback whales near the islands. however, in the late fall, many whales begin to migrate to the area to give birth to their young. they remain there over the course of the winter, and then all begin to migrate away again in the spring. which graph could show the number of humpback whales around the hawaiian islands from summer through spring?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the initial condition

In summer, there are no humpback whales. So the graph should start at \(y = 0\) (where \(y\) represents the number of whales).

Step2: Analyze the migration - in period

In late fall, whales migrate in. So the \(y\) - value (number of whales) should increase from \(0\).

Step3: Analyze the winter period

They remain in winter. So the graph should have a relatively stable (or slow - changing) part after the increase.

Step4: Analyze the migration - out period

In spring, they migrate away. So the \(y\) - value should decrease back to \(0\).

Looking at the four graphs:

• The first graph starts at \(y = 0\) (summer), increases (late - fall migration in), has a relatively flat top (winter stay), and then decreases back to \(0\) (spring migration out).
• The second graph does not start at \(y = 0\).
• The third graph has a non - zero value at the start and a non - zero value at the end (not consistent with summer and spring conditions).
• The fourth graph has a non - zero value at the start (not consistent with summer condition).

Answer:

The first graph (the one in the top - left corner of the four graphs)