Solved on Jan 24, 2024

Humpback whale (3104 kg3 \cdot 10^{4} \mathrm{~kg}) vs. tiger shark (5.9103 kg5.9 \cdot 10^{3} \mathrm{~kg}). Basheera or Elena - which claim is correct?

STEP 1

Assumptions
1. The weight of the humpback whale is 3104 kg3 \cdot 10^{4} \mathrm{~kg}.
2. The weight of the tiger shark is 5.9103 kg5.9 \cdot 10^{3} \mathrm{~kg}.
3. Basheera claims the humpback whale weighs about 20 times as much as the tiger shark.
4. Elena claims the humpback whale weighs about 5 times as much as the tiger shark.
5. We need to compare the actual weight ratio to the claims made by Basheera and Elena.

STEP 2

Calculate the actual weight ratio of the humpback whale to the tiger shark by dividing the weight of the humpback whale by the weight of the tiger shark.
Weightratio=WeightofhumpbackwhaleWeightoftigersharkWeight\, ratio = \frac{Weight\, of\, humpback\, whale}{Weight\, of\, tiger\, shark}

STEP 3

Plug in the given values for the weights of the humpback whale and the tiger shark to calculate the weight ratio.
Weightratio=3104 kg5.9103 kgWeight\, ratio = \frac{3 \cdot 10^{4} \mathrm{~kg}}{5.9 \cdot 10^{3} \mathrm{~kg}}

STEP 4

Perform the division to find the actual weight ratio.
Weightratio=31045.9103Weight\, ratio = \frac{3 \cdot 10^{4}}{5.9 \cdot 10^{3}}

STEP 5

Since both numbers are powers of 10, we can simplify the ratio by dividing the coefficients and subtracting the exponents of 10.
Weightratio=35.91043Weight\, ratio = \frac{3}{5.9} \cdot 10^{4-3}

STEP 6

Calculate the simplified weight ratio.
Weightratio=35.9101Weight\, ratio = \frac{3}{5.9} \cdot 10^{1}

STEP 7

Perform the division of the coefficients.
Weightratio3610Weight\, ratio \approx \frac{3}{6} \cdot 10

STEP 8

Since 3/6=0.53/6 = 0.5, we can further simplify the weight ratio.
Weightratio0.510Weight\, ratio \approx 0.5 \cdot 10

STEP 9

Calculate the final weight ratio.
Weightratio5Weight\, ratio \approx 5

STEP 10

Compare the calculated weight ratio to the claims made by Basheera and Elena.
Basheera's claim: 20 times as much Elena's claim: 5 times as much

STEP 11

Since the calculated weight ratio is approximately 5, Elena's claim is correct.
The humpback whale weighs about 5 times as much as the tiger shark.

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