A veterinarian collected data on the association between age and mass of Boxer puppies. A line of best fit was computed. The equation for the line is: y = 17.5x + 480. Which BEST interprets the slope of the linear model?
a
Every 17.5 days is associated with an additional 480 grams of mass.
b
Each additional day is associated with an additional 480 grams of mass.
c
Each additional day is associated with an additional 17.5 grams of mass.
d
The predicted mass of a Boxer puppy at birth.
c
Each additional day is associated with an additional 17.5 grams of mass.
c
Each additional day is associated with an additional 17.5 grams of mass.
The best interpretation of the slope of the linear model y = 17.5x + 480 is option c) Each additional day is associated with an additional 17.5 grams of mass.
To understand this interpretation, let's break down the equation and its variables:
- In the equation y = 17.5x + 480, "y" represents the mass of the Boxer puppy, and "x" represents the age of the puppy in days.
- The coefficient of the "x" term is 17.5 in the equation, which is the slope of the line of best fit.
- In this context, the slope coefficient tells us how the mass (y) changes with respect to the age (x) of the Boxer puppies.
Interpreting the slope, for every additional day (x) a Boxer puppy ages, the mass (y) of the puppy is predicted to increase by 17.5 grams. So, each additional day is associated with an additional 17.5 grams of mass.
Therefore, option c) is the correct interpretation of the slope.