achiever bio question

[ddstobe]

The ecological efficiency is only 5% from one trophic level to the next. For every 250J of energy required by the secondary consumers, what is the minimum amt of energy the primary producers will have to generate.

I thought the ans was 5000J because X(.05) = 250 but the key said 250/(.05)^2. Why is that?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[UCB05]

The ecological efficiency is only 5% from one trophic level to the next. For every 250J of energy required by the secondary consumers, what is the minimum amt of energy the primary producers will have to generate.

I thought the ans was 5000J because X(.05) = 250 but the key said 250/(.05)^2. Why is that?

Primary producers > Primary consumers > Secondary consumers

Two steps, 5% efficiency per step

 

[ddstobe]

Thanks UCB