Question

James takes two data points from the weight and feed cost data set to calculate a slope, or average rate of change. A hamster weighs 3 pounds and costs $3.50 per week to feed, while a Chihuahua weighs 4.8 pounds and costs $6.20 per week to feed. Using weight as the explanatory variable, what is the slope of the line between these two points? Answer choices are rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

Answer:

The slope of the line between these two points is 1.50.

Step-by-step explanation:

The general form of the regression line is:

$y=mx+c$

Here,

y = dependent variable

x = independent variable

m = slope

c = intercept.

The formula to compute slope using two-point method is:

$m=\frac{y_{2}-y_{1}}{x_{2}-x_{1}}$

In this case the dependent variable is the cost per week to feed and independent variable is the weight of the hamster.

The two points are:

(x₁, y₁) = (3, 3.50)

(x₂, y₂) = (4.8, 6.20)

Compute the slope as follows:

$m=\frac{y_{2}-y_{1}}{x_{2}-x_{1}}$

    $=\frac{6.20-3.50}{4.8-3}$

    $=\frac{2.7}{1.8}$

    $=1.50$

Thus, the slope of the line between these two points is 1.50.