Question: A palynologist analyzing pollen counts observes that the average of three counts — $ 3u+2 $, $ 5u+7 $, and $ 4u+1 $ — equals 62. What is the value of $ u $?

Sun, 03 May 2026 12:08:57 +0000

SEO-Optimized Article: How a Palynologist Determines Pollen Counts Using Algebra | Understanding Average Pollen Analysis When studying ancient or modern pollen samples, palynologists rely heavily on accurate measurements to reconstruct past climates, track seasonal changes, and support forensic or archaeological investigations. A key analytical step involves calculating the average of multiple pollen counts. Recently, a palynologist encountered a real-world math problem: analyzing three pollen count measurements — $ 3u+2 $, $ 5u+7 $, and $ 4u+1 $ — where the average equals 62. Solving for $ u $ reveals critical data about environmental conditions. ### Understanding the Problem: Middle School Math Meets Palynology The average of three numbers is found by summing them and dividing by 3. In this case, the three pollen counts are expressions involving a variable $ u $. The average is given as: