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Linear Regression and Correlation: Homework

Module by: Susan Dean, Barbara Illowsky, Ph.D.. E-mail the authors

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Summary: This module provides a homework for Linear Regression and Correlation as a part of Collaborative Statistics collection (col10522) by Barbara Illowsky and Susan Dean.

Note: Your browser may not currently support MathML. See our browser support page for additional details. You can always view the correct math in the PDF version.

Exercise 1

For each situation below, state the independent variable and the dependent variable.

  • a. A study is done to determine if elderly drivers are involved in more motor vehicle fatalities than all other drivers. The number of fatalities per 100,000 drivers is compared to the age of drivers.
  • b. A study is done to determine if the weekly grocery bill changes based on the number of family members.
  • c. Insurance companies base life insurance premiums partially on the age of the applicant.
  • d. Utility bills vary according to power consumption.
  • e. A study is done to determine if a higher education reduces the crime rate in a population.

Solution

  • a. Independent: Age; Dependent: Fatalities
  • d. Independent: Power Consumption; Dependent: Utility

Exercise 2

In 1990 the number of driver deaths per 100,000 for the different age groups was as follows (Source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Center for Statistics and Analysis):

Table 1
Age Number of Driver Deaths per 100,000
15-24 28
25-39 15
40-69 10
70-79 15
80+ 25

  • a. For each age group, pick the midpoint of the interval for the x value. (For the 80+ group, use 85.)
  • b. Using “ages” as the independent variable and “Number of driver deaths per 100,000” as the dependent variable, make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Calculate the least squares (best–fit) line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • d. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • e. Pick two ages and find the estimated fatality rates.
  • f. Use the two points in (e) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • g. Based on the above data, is there a linear relationship between age of a driver and driver fatality rate?
  • h. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Exercise 3

The average number of people in a family that received welfare for various years is given below. (Source: House Ways and Means Committee, Health and Human Services Department)

Table 2
Year Welfare family size
1969 4.0
1973 3.6
1975 3.2
1979 3.0
1983 3.0
1988 3.0
1991 2.9

  • a. Using “year” as the independent variable and “welfare family size” as the dependent variable, make a scatter plot of the data.
  • b. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • c. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • d. Pick two years between 1969 and 1991 and find the estimated welfare family sizes.
  • e. Use the two points in (d) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • f. Based on the above data, is there a linear relationship between the year and the average number of people in a welfare family?
  • g. Using the least squares line, estimate the welfare family sizes for 1960 and 1995. Does the least squares line give an accurate estimate for those years? Explain why or why not.
  • h. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • i. What is the estimated average welfare family size for 1986? Does the least squares line give an accurate estimate for that year? Explain why or why not.
  • j. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Solution

  • b. y^ = 88 . 7206 − 0 . 0432 x y^ = 88 . 7206 − 0 . 0432 x size 12{y="88" "." "7206" - 0 "." "0432"x} {}
  • c. -0.8533, Yes
  • g. No
  • h. No.
  • i. 2.97, Yes
  • j. slope = -0.0432. As the year increases by one, the welfare family size decreases by 0.0432 people.

Exercise 4

Use the AIDS data from the practice for this section, but this time use the columns “year #” and “# new AIDS deaths in U.S.” Answer all of the questions from the practice again, using the new columns.

Exercise 5

The height (sidewalk to roof) of notable tall buildings in America is compared to the number of stories of the building (beginning at street level). (Source: Microsoft Bookshelf)

Table 3
Height (in feet) Stories
1050 57
428 28
362 26
529 40
790 60
401 22
380 38
1454 110
1127 100
700 46

  • a. Using “stories” as the independent variable and “height” as the dependent variable, make a scatter plot of the data.
  • b. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables?
  • c. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • d. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • e. Find the estimated heights for 32 stories and for 94 stories.
  • f. Use the two points in (e) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • g. Based on the above data, is there a linear relationship between the number of stories in tall buildings and the height of the buildings?
  • h. Are there any outliers in the above data? If so, which point(s)?
  • i. What is the estimated height of a building with 6 stories? Does the least squares line give an accurate estimate of height? Explain why or why not.
  • j. Based on the least squares line, adding an extra story adds about how many feet to a building?
  • k. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Solution

  • b. Yes
  • c. y^ = 102 . 4287 + 11 . 7585 x y^ = 102 . 4287 + 11 . 7585 x size 12{y="102" "." "4287"+"11" "." "7585"x} {}
  • d. 0.9436; yes
  • e. 478.70 feet; 1207.73 feet
  • g. Yes
  • h. Yes; 57 , 1050 57 , 1050 size 12{ left ("57","1050" right )} {}
  • i. 172.98; No
  • j. 11.7585 feet
  • k. slope = 11.7585. As the number of stories increases by one, the height of the building increases by 11.7585 feet.

Exercise 6

Below is the life expectancy for an individual born in the United States in certain years. (Source: National Center for Health Statistics)

Table 4
Year of Birth Life Expectancy
1930 59.7
1940 62.9
1950 70.2
1965 69.7
1973 71.4
1982 74.5
1987 75
1992 75.7

  • a. Decide which variable should be the independent variable and which should be the dependent variable.
  • b. Draw a scatter plot of the ordered pairs.
  • c. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • d. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • e. Find the estimated life expectancy for an individual born in 1950 and for one born in 1982.
  • f. Why aren’t the answers to part (e) the values on the above chart that correspond to those years?
  • g. Use the two points in (e) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • h. Based on the above data, is there a linear relationship between the year of birth and life expectancy?
  • i. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • j. Using the least squares line, find the estimated life expectancy for an individual born in 1850. Does the least squares line give an accurate estimate for that year? Explain why or why not.
  • k. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Exercise 7

The percent of female wage and salary workers who are paid hourly rates is given below for the years 1979 - 1992. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Labor)

Table 5
Year Percent of workers paid hourly rates
1979 61.2
1980 60.7
1981 61.3
1982 61.3
1983 61.8
1984 61.7
1985 61.8
1986 62.0
1987 62.7
1990 62.8
1992 62.9

  • a. Using “year” as the independent variable and “percent” as the dependent variable, make a scatter plot of the data.
  • b. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • c. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • d. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • e. Find the estimated percents for 1991 and 1988.
  • f. Use the two points in (e) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • g. Based on the above data, is there a linear relationship between the year and the percent of female wage and salary earners who are paid hourly rates?
  • h. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • i. What is the estimated percent for the year 2050? Does the least squares line give an accurate estimate for that year? Explain why or why not?
  • j. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Solution

  • b. Yes
  • c. y^ = − 266 . 8863 + 0 . 1656 x y^ = − 266 . 8863 + 0 . 1656 x size 12{y= - "266" "." "8863"+0 "." "1656"x} {}
  • d. 0.9448; Yes
  • e. 62.9206; 62.4237
  • h. No
  • i. 72.639; No
  • j. slope = 0.1656. As the year increases by one, the percent of workers paid hourly rates increases by 0.1565.

Exercise 8

The maximum discount value of the Entertainment® card for the “Fine Dining” section, Edition 10, for various pages is given below.

Table 6
Page number Maximum value ($)
4 16
14 19
25 15
32 17
43 19
57 15
72 16
85 15
90 17

  • a. Decide which variable should be the independent variable and which should be the dependent variable.
  • b. Draw a scatter plot of the ordered pairs.
  • c. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • d. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • e. Find the estimated maximum values for the restaurants on page 10 and on page 70.
  • f. Use the two points in (e) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • g. Does it appear that the restaurants giving the maximum value are placed in the beginning of the “Fine Dining” section? How did you arrive at your answer?
  • h. Suppose that there were 200 pages of restaurants. What do you estimate to be the maximum value for a restaurant listed on page 200?
  • i. Is the least squares line valid for page 200? Why or why not?
  • j. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

The next two questions refer to the following data: The cost of a leading liquid laundry detergent in different sizes is given below.

Table 7
Size (ounces) Cost ($) Cost per ounce
16 3.99  
32 4.99  
64 5.99  
200 10.99  

Exercise 9

  • a. Using “size” as the independent variable and “cost” as the dependent variable, make a scatter plot.
  • b. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • c. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • d. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • e. If the laundry detergent were sold in a 40 ounce size, find the estimated cost.
  • f. If the laundry detergent were sold in a 90 ounce size, find the estimated cost.
  • g. Use the two points in (e) and (f) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (a).
  • h. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • i. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • j. Is the least squares line valid for predicting what a 300 ounce size of the laundry detergent would cost? Why or why not?
  • k. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Solution

  • b. Yes
  • c. y^ = 3 . 5984 + 0 . 0371 x y^ = 3 . 5984 + 0 . 0371 x size 12{y=3 "." "5984"+0 "." "0371"x} {}
  • d. 0.9986; Yes
  • e. $5.08
  • f. $6.93
  • i. No
  • j. Not valid
  • k. slope = 0.0371. As the number of ounces increases by one, the cost of the liquid detergent increases by $0.0371 (or about 4 cents).

Exercise 10

  • a. Complete the above table for the cost per ounce of the different sizes.
  • b. Using “Size” as the independent variable and “Cost per ounce” as the dependent variable, make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • f. If the laundry detergent were sold in a 40 ounce size, find the estimated cost per ounce.
  • g. If the laundry detergent were sold in a 90 ounce size, find the estimated cost per ounce.
  • h. Use the two points in (f) and (g) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • i. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • j. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • k. Is the least squares line valid for predicting what a 300 ounce size of the laundry detergent would cost per ounce? Why or why not?
  • l. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Exercise 11

According to flyer by a Prudential Insurance Company representative, the costs of approximate probate fees and taxes for selected net taxable estates are as follows:

Table 8
Net Taxable Estate ($) Approximate Probate Fees and Taxes ($)
600,000 30,000
750,000 92,500
1,000,000 203,000
1,500,000 438,000
2,000,000 688,000
2,500,000 1,037,000
3,000,000 1,350,000

  • a. Decide which variable should be the independent variable and which should be the dependent variable.
  • b. Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • f. Find the estimated total cost for a net taxable estate of $1,000,000. Find the cost for $2,500,000.
  • g. Use the two points in (f) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • h. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • i. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • j. Based on the above, what would be the probate fees and taxes for an estate that does not have any assets?
  • k. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Solution

  • c. Yes
  • d. y^ = − 337 , 424 . 6478 + 0 . 5463 x y^ = − 337 , 424 . 6478 + 0 . 5463 x size 12{y= - "337","424" "." "6478"+0 "." "5463"x} {}
  • e. 0.9964; Yes
  • f. $208,872.49; $1,028,318.20
  • h. Yes
  • i. No
  • k. slope = 0.5463. As the net taxable estate increases by one dollar, the approximate probate fees and taxes increases by 0.5463 dollars (about 55 cents).

Exercise 12

The following are advertised sale prices of color televisions at Anderson’s.

Table 9
Size (inches) Sale Price ($)
9 147
20 197
27 297
31 447
35 1177
40 2177
60 2497

  • a. Decide which variable should be the independent variable and which should be the dependent variable.
  • b. Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • f. Find the estimated sale price for a 32 inch television. Find the cost for a 50 inch television.
  • g. Use the two points in (f) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • h. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • i. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • j. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Exercise 13

Below are the average heights for American boys. (Source: Physician’s Handbook, 1990)

Table 10
Age (years) Height (cm)
birth 50.8
2 83.8
3 91.4
5 106.6
7 119.3
10 137.1
14 157.5

  • a. Decide which variable should be the independent variable and which should be the dependent variable.
  • b. Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. Is it significant?
  • f. Find the estimated average height for a one year–old. Find the estimated average height for an eleven year–old.
  • g. Use the two points in (f) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • h. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • i. Are there any outliers in the above data?
  • j. Use the least squares line to estimate the average height for a sixty–two year–old man. Do you think that your answer is reasonable? Why or why not?
  • k. What is the slope of the least squares (best-fit) line? Interpret the slope.

Solution

  • c. Yes
  • d. y^ = 65 . 0876 + 7 . 0948 x y^ = 65 . 0876 + 7 . 0948 x size 12{y="65" "." "0876"+7 "." "0948"x} {}
  • e. 0.9761; yes
  • f. 72.2 cm; 143.13 cm
  • h. Yes
  • i. No
  • j. 505.0 cm; No
  • k. slope = 7.0948. As the age of an American boy increases by one year, the average height increases by 7.0948 cm.

Exercise 14

The following chart gives the gold medal times for every other Summer Olympics for the women’s 100 meter freestyle (swimming).

Table 11
Year Time (seconds)
1912 82.2
1924 72.4
1932 66.8
1952 66.8
1960 61.2
1968 60.0
1976 55.65
1984 55.92
1992 54.64

  • a. Decide which variable should be the independent variable and which should be the dependent variable.
  • b. Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. Is the decrease in times significant?
  • f. Find the estimated gold medal time for 1932. Find the estimated time for 1984.
  • g. Why are the answers from (f) different from the chart values?
  • h. Use the two points in (f) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • i. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • j. Use the least squares line to estimate the gold medal time for the next Summer Olympics. Do you think that your answer is reasonable? Why or why not?

The next three questions use the following state information.

Table 12
State # letters in name Year entered the Union Rank for entering the Union Area (square miles)
Alabama 7 1819 22 52,423
Colorado   1876 38 104,100
Hawaii   1959 50 10,932
Iowa   1846 29 56,276
Maryland   1788 7 12,407
Missouri   1821 24 69,709
New Jersey   1787 3 8,722
Ohio   1803 17 44,828
South Carolina 13 1788 8 32,008
Utah   1896 45 84,904
Wisconsin   1848 30 65,499

Exercise 15

We are interested in whether or not the number of letters in a state name depends upon the year the state entered the Union.

  • a. Decide which variable should be the independent variable and which should be the dependent variable.
  • b. Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. What does it imply about the significance of the relationship?
  • f. Find the estimated number of letters (to the nearest integer) a state would have if it entered the Union in 1900. Find the estimated number of letters a state would have if it entered the Union in 1940.
  • g. Use the two points in (f) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • h. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • i. Use the least squares line to estimate the number of letters a new state that enters the Union this year would have. Can the least squares line be used to predict it? Why or why not?

Solution

  • c. No
  • d. y^ = 47 . 03 − 0 . 216 x y^ = 47 . 03 − 0 . 216 x size 12{y="47" "." "03" - 0 "." "216"x} {}
  • e. -0.4280
  • f. 6; 5

Exercise 16

We are interested in whether there is a relationship between the ranking of a state and the area of the state.

  • a. Let rank be the independent variable and area be the dependent variable.
  • b. What do you think the scatter plot will look like? Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Does it appear from inspection that there is a relationship between the variables? Why or why not?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. What does it imply about the significance of the relationship?
  • f. Find the estimated areas for Alabama and for Colorado. Are they close to the actual areas?
  • g. Use the two points in (f) to plot the least squares line on your graph from (b).
  • h. Does it appear that a line is the best way to fit the data? Why or why not?
  • i. Are there any outliers?
  • j. Use the least squares line to estimate the area of a new state that enters the Union. Can the least squares line be used to predict it? Why or why not?
  • k. Delete “Hawaii” and substitute “Alaska” for it. Alaska is the fortieth state with an area of 656,424 square miles.
  • l. Calculate the new least squares line.
  • m. Find the estimated area for Alabama. Is it closer to the actual area with this new least squares line or with the previous one that included Hawaii? Why do you think that’s the case?
  • n. Do you think that, in general, newer states are larger than the original states?

Exercise 17

We are interested in whether there is a relationship between the rank of a state and the year it entered the Union.

  • a. Let year be the independent variable and rank be the dependent variable.
  • b. What do you think the scatter plot will look like? Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Why must the relationship be positive between the variables?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. What does it imply about the significance of the relationship?
  • f. Let’s say a fifty-first state entered the union. Based upon the least squares line, when should that have occurred?
  • g. Using the least squares line, how many states do we currently have?
  • h. Why isn’t the least squares line a good estimator for this year?

Solution

  • d. y^ = − 480 . 5845 + 0 . 2748 x y^ = − 480 . 5845 + 0 . 2748 x size 12{y= - "480" "." "5845"+0 "." "2748"x} {}
  • e. 0.9553
  • f. 1934

Exercise 18

Below are the percents of the U.S. labor force (excluding self-employed and unemployed ) that are members of a union. We are interested in whether the decrease is significant. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Labor)

Table 13
Year Percent
1945 35.5
1950 31.5
1960 31.4
1970 27.3
1980 21.9
1986 17.5
1993 15.8

  • a. Let year be the independent variable and percent be the dependent variable.
  • b. What do you think the scatter plot will look like? Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • c. Why will the relationship between the variables be negative?
  • d. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • e. Find the correlation coefficient. What does it imply about the significance of the relationship?
  • f. Based on your answer to (e), do you think that the relationship can be said to be decreasing?
  • g. If the trend continues, when will there no longer be any union members? Do you think that will happen?

The next two questions refer to the following information: The data below reflects the 1991-92 Reunion Class Giving. (Source: SUNY Albany alumni magazine)

Table 14
Class Year Average Gift Total Giving
1922 41.67 125
1927 60.75 1,215
1932 83.82 3,772
1937 87.84 5,710
1947 88.27 6,003
1952 76.14 5,254
1957 52.29 4,393
1962 57.80 4,451
1972 42.68 18,093
1976 49.39 22,473
1981 46.87 20,997
1986 37.03 12,590

Exercise 19

We will use the columns “class year” and “total giving” for all questions, unless otherwise stated.

  • a. What do you think the scatter plot will look like? Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • b. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • c. Find the correlation coefficient. What does it imply about the significance of the relationship?
  • d. For the class of 1930, predict the total class gift.
  • e. For the class of 1964, predict the total class gift.
  • f. For the class of 1850, predict the total class gift. Why doesn’t this value make any sense?

Solution

  • b. y^ = − 569 , 770 . 2796 + 296 . 0351 y^ = − 569 , 770 . 2796 + 296 . 0351 size 12{y= - "569","770" "." "2796"+"296" "." "0351"} {}
  • c. 0.8302
  • d. $1577.48
  • e. $11,642.68
  • f. -$22,105.33

Exercise 20

We will use the columns “class year” and “average gift” for all questions, unless otherwise stated.

  • a. What do you think the scatter plot will look like? Make a scatter plot of the data.
  • b. Calculate the least squares line. Put the equation in the form of: y^=a+bxy^=a+bx size 12{y=a+ ital "bx"} {}
  • c. Find the correlation coefficient. What does it imply about the significance of the relationship?
  • d. For the class of 1930, predict the average class gift.
  • e. For the class of 1964, predict the average class gift.
  • f. For the class of 2010, predict the average class gift. Why doesn’t this value make any sense?

Try these multiple choice questions

Exercise 21

A correlation coefficient of -0.95 means there is a ____________ between the two variables.

  • A. Strong positive correlation
  • B. Weak negative correlation
  • C. Strong negative correlation
  • D. No Correlation

Solution

C

Exercise 22

According to the data reported by the New York State Department of Health regarding West Nile Virus for the years 2000-2004, the least squares line equation for the number of reported dead birds (xx size 12{x} {}) versus the number of human West Nile virus cases (yy size 12{y} {}) is y^=−10.2638+0.0491xy^=−10.2638+0.0491x size 12{y - ital "hat"= - "10" "." "2638"+0 "." "0491"x} {}. If the number of dead birds reported in a year is 732, how many human cases of West Nile virus can be expected?

  • A. 25.7
  • B. 46.2
  • C. -25.7
  • D. 7513

Solution

A

The next three questions refer to the following data: (showing the number of hurricanes by category to directly strike the mainland U.S. each decade) obtained from www.nhc.noaa.gov/gifs/table6.gif A major hurricane is one with a strength rating of 3, 4 or 5.

Table 15
Decade Total Number of Hurricanes Number of Major Hurricanes
1941-1950 24 10
1951-1960 17 8
1961-1970 14 6
1971-1980 12 4
1981-1990 15 5
1991-2000 14 5
2001 – 2004 9 3

Exercise 23

Using only completed decades (1941 – 2000), calculate the least squares line for the number of major hurricanes expected based upon the total number of hurricanes.

  • A. y^ = − 1 . 67 x + 0 . 5 y^ = − 1 . 67 x + 0 . 5 size 12{y - ital "hat"= - 1 "." "67"x+0 "." 5} {}
  • B. y^ = 0 . 5x − 1 . 67 y^ = 0 . 5x − 1 . 67 size 12{y - ital "hat"=0 "." 5x - 1 "." "67"} {}
  • C. y^ = 0 . 94 x − 1 . 67 y^ = 0 . 94 x − 1 . 67 size 12{y - ital "hat"=0 "." "94"x - 1 "." "67"} {}
  • D. y^ = − 2x + 1 y^ = − 2x + 1 size 12{y - ital "hat"= - 2x+1} {}

Solution

A

Exercise 24

The correlation coefficient is 0.942. Is this considered significant? Why or why not?

  • A. No, because 0.942 is greater than the critical value of 0.707
  • B. Yes, because 0.942 is greater than the critical value of 0.707
  • C. No, because 0942 is greater than the critical value of 0.811
  • D. Yes, because 0.942 is greater than the critical value of 0.811

Solution

D

Exercise 25

The data for 2001-2004 show 9 hurricanes have hit the mainland United States. The line of best fit predicts 2.83 major hurricanes to hit mainland U.S. Can the least squares line be used to make this prediction?

  • A. No, because 9 lies outside the independent variable values
  • B. Yes, because, in fact, there have been 3 major hurricanes this decade
  • C. No, because 2.83 lies outside the dependent variable values
  • D. Yes, because how else could we predict what is going to happen this decade.

Solution

A

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