A paleobotanist examines fossilized leaves and finds that the ratio of broadleaf to needle-like plants in a prehistoric forest was 7:4. If she identifies 84 broadleaf fossils, how many needle-like fossils would her data suggest?

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:02:03 +0000

Understanding Ancient Forests: How Fossil Ratios Reveal prehistoric Plant Life In the field of paleobotany, fossilized leaves serve as vital clues to reconstructing ancient ecosystems. A recent study highlights how meticulous analysis of leaf morphology—specifically the balance between broadleaf and needle-like plants—can unveil fascinating insights into prehistoric forest composition. When a paleobotanist examines fossil evidence and discovers a 7:4 ratio of broadleaf to needle-like plant fossils, it signals a specific ecological structure that reflects climate, environment, and evolutionary adaptation millions of years ago. In this particular case, the scientist identifies 84 broadleaf fossils and determines the proportional relationship: broadleaves to needle-like plants is 7 to 4. To find the number of needle-like fossils, researchers use simple ratio calculation. Let the number of broadleaf fossils be represented by 7 parts and needle-like plants by 4 parts. Since 7 parts correspond to 84 fossils, each part equals: