For an avian research study, scientists wanted to estimate the local robin population. The scientists captured, tagged, and released 55 robins. A week later, they noted 30 tagged robins out of the 300 robins they counted. To the nearest whole number, what is the best estimate for the robin population?

The estimated number of robins in the population is 550

Step-by-step explanation: To estimate the population of robins, we will use the Mark-Recapture technique:

1) Capture a small number of individuals, mark them (with tags or other harmless identification) and release them;

2) After a period of time, catch another group and count the ones who have the mark;

3) Estimate the population using:

where

N is the estimate of individuals in the population

M number of individuals marked

C is the total number of individuals captured the second time

R is the number of individuals with the mark recaptured

For the population of robins:

N = 550

The best estimate for the robin population is 550.

there are lots of ways.   pick's theorem tells us if the vertices are lattice points the area a is

a = b/2 + i - 1

where b is the number of boundary lattice points and i is the number of interior lattice points.

in the figure i count b=16, i=50 so

a = 8 + 50 - 1 = 57

let's try the shoelace formula.   the area is half the sum of the cross products of the sides.  

a(-2,6)   -2(2)-6(-5) = 26

b(-5,2)   -5(-3) - 2(-2) = 19

c(-2,-3) -2(-3) - (-3)(4) = 18

d(4,-3)   4(3) - (-3)(5) = 27

e(5,3)   5(3) - 3(1) = 12

f(1,3)     1(6) - 3(-2) = 12

a(-2,6)

each of the cross products is twice the area of the triangle with the associated side and one vertex the origin. so the area of abo=26/2=13.

area = (1/2) (26 + 19 +   18 + 27 + 12 + 12) = 57

that checks!