Question: A biologist in Costa Rica records 5 different species of frogs in a single night. If she randomly selects 3 species to analyze in detail, what is the probability that a particular endangered species is among them?

Tue, 05 May 2026 01:35:35 +0000

**Discover Hook:
Why Matching Rare Frogs in Costa Rica Reveals Surprising Odds**
A biologist working in Costa Rica documents five distinct frog species during a single night survey—an impressive feat in biodiversity research. When selecting just three for in-depth analysis, understanding the odds behind species selection unlocks deeper insight into ecological decision-making and conservation tracking. **Why This Question Is Gaining Attention in the US**
Wildlife surveys and ecological probability models are capturing growing interest, especially among conservation-minded readers and science learners. As climate change intensifies and species extinction risks rise, stories about field scientists making precise, data-driven choices highlight how research protects fragile ecosystems. The notion that even small random samples hold meaningful patterns—like which frogs researchers choose—resonates with audiences curious about science, nature, and real-world data logic. **The Math Behind Species Selection in a Knockout Sample**
Imagine a wildlife biologist recording five frog species during a night survey. She must randomly select three species to study in detail—each choice shaped by ecological relevance, ease of identification, or previous research significance. What’s the chance that a specific endangered species—let’s call it species E—is included in that final trio? This question hinges on combinatorics, a fundamental math tool used in ecology to predict selection odds. Here’s how it works: