Question

ellen breeds a type of dog known as a border collie. she records the number of puppies in each litter and the average birth weight of the puppies. she made a scatter plot showing the data from litters over the past several years and then drew the line of best fit. puppy litters the equation for the line of best fit is y = -1.25x + 18. according to the equation, which of these statements is true? in a litter of 10 puppies, the average birth weight would likely be about 4 ounces. in a litter of 7 puppies, the average birth weight would likely be about 9 ounces.

Explanation:

Step1: Substitute $x = 10$ into the equation

Substitute $x = 10$ into $y=-1.25x + 18$. Then $y=-1.25\times10+18$.

Step2: Calculate the value of $y$ for $x = 10$

$y=-12.5 + 18=5.5$.

Step3: Substitute $x = 7$ into the equation

Substitute $x = 7$ into $y=-1.25x + 18$. Then $y=-1.25\times7+18$.

Step4: Calculate the value of $y$ for $x = 7$

$y=-8.75+18 = 9.25\approx9$.

Answer:

In a litter of 7 puppies, the average birth weight would likely be about 9 ounces.