Question

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 (x) versus the number of human West Nile virus cases (y) is ŷ = −10.2638 + 0.0491x. If the number of dead birds reported in a year is 844, how many human cases of West Nile virus can be expected? (Round your answer to the nearest whole number.)

Answer 1

31 human cases.

Explanation:

The least squares line equation for the number of reported dead birds (x), versus the number of human West Nile virus cases (y) is

y = -10.2638 + 0.0491x

If the number dead birds reported in a year is 844, then we have to find the numbers of human cases of West Nile virus.

To find the numbers we will plug in the value of x = 844 in the linear equation.

y = -10.2638 + 0.0491(844)

= -10.2638 + 41.4404

= 31.1766

≈ 31

Therefore, 31 human cases can be expected.