Chapter 9, Problem 1CTB

To determine

Whether the journal information is plausible or not.

Answer to Problem 1CTB

Solution: The provided claim is not plausible.

Explanation of Solution

Calculation:

The number of melons that can be produced in each square foot of field can be acquired by the ratio of the total number of melons $\left(750,000\text{ melons}\right)$ produced and the area of the field in square feet $\left(1\text{ acre}=43,560\text{ square feet}\right)$. The number of melons in each square foot of field can be calculated as follows:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{Number of melons}=\frac{750,000}{43,560}\\ =17.21\\ \approx 17\end{array}$

Interpretation: It is not possible to produce 17 melons in 1 square foot field. Therefore, it can be said that the provided information is not reasonable.