Suppose the background extinction rate of birds is 5 per 1,000 years. During the twentieth century, 17 birds went extinct. The extinction rate of birds is now about how many times the background rate?

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The background extinction rate is 5 birds per 1,000 years, which translates to 0.5 birds per 100 years. During the twentieth century, 17 birds went extinct, which is 34 times the background rate (17 divided by 0.5 equals 34).

Suppose the Background Extinction Rate of Birds Is 5 Per