Hank raises mealworms. in a square of compost 5 ft by 5 ft, he can have 2,000 mealworms. how many mealworms can he have if his square of compost has a side length that is six times longer?

The answer is 72,000 mealworms.

Step 1. Calculate the number of mealworms per 1 square ft.

The square of compost 5 ft by 5 ft, has the area: A = 5² = 25 ft²

On 25 ft² there are 2,000 mealworms. On 1 ft² there are x mealworms.

25 ft² : 2,000 mealworms = 1 ft² : x

x = 2,000 mealworms * 1 ft² : 25 ft²

x = 80 mealworms.

Step 2. Calculate the area of the new square with side length that is six times longer.

A = (5*6) ² = 30² = 900 ft²

Step 3. Calculate the number of mealworms (x) on 900 ft², if there are 80 mealworms per 1 ft².

x : 900 ft² = 80 mealworms : 1 ft²

x = 80 mealworms : 1 ft² * 900 ft²

x = 72,000 mealworms.