A zoologist uses GPS data to calculate a pumas weekly movement. The puma travels 14.2 km on day 1, 11.8 km on day 2, 9.5 km on day 3, then doubles its average of the first three days on day 4. It rests on day 5. On day 6, it travels 130% of day 4s distance. Day 7 is a hunting surge: 150% of day 6. What is the total distance traveled in the week?

Thu, 07 May 2026 17:15:45 +0000

**A zoologist uses GPS data to calculate a pumas weekly movement. The puma travels 14.2 km on day 1, 11.8 km on day 2, 9.5 km on day 3, then doubles its average of the first three days on day 4. It rests on day 5. On day 6, it travels 130% of day 4s distance. Day 7 is a hunting surge: 150% of day 6. What is the total distance traveled in the week?** When GPS tracking enters wildlife research, the patterns of large predators like pumas offer fascinating insights—especially as technology reveals subtle shifts in daily movement. A zoologist using GPS data to analyze puma activity unveils a concise yet revealing weekly travel profile, reflecting natural instincts, environmental pressures, and biological rhythms. Understanding these movements helps inform conservation strategies, wildlife corridors, and human-wildlife coexistence. In an era when data-driven research gains traction in the US, this weekly journey reveals more than distance—it highlights how scientists uncover animal life at a granular level. ### The Weekly Movement Breakdown The puma’s movement pattern shows clear daily variation. From day 1 to day 3, the animal travels 14.2 km, 11.8 km, and 9.5 km respectively, reflecting rest or lower activity after the nocturnal surge and daytime exploration. Day 4 averages the first three days’ total, doubling that distance through enhanced travel—revealing a shift toward intensified movement, possibly linked to hunting or territorial exploration. On day 5, a full rest day slows the journey to zero, creating a mid-week pause. Day 6 sees a sharp increase, with 130% of day 4’s distance: a calculated 18.46 km (130% of 14.2 km). On day 7, the puma explodes with 150% of day 6’s journey—spanning 27.69 km—aligning with a documented hunting surge. This weekly arc reflects both routine and purposeful effort tied to survival.