Question

A randomized, controlled experiment investigated this question using a random sample of 540 adult males as subjects. At the beginning of the study, researchers measured the blood pressure of all the subjects. Each subject was given a month's supply of either Drug A, Drug B, or a placebo, then was assigned to be on either a low-fat diet or a low-salt diet for that month-long period. At the end of the month, the researchers measured the blood pressure of each subject again, and compared the two blood pressure readings. How many different groups are there altogether in this study?

Answer 1

There are six different groups in the study, resulting from the combination of three types of drug treatments (Drug A, Drug B, or placebo) and two types of diets (low-fat or low-salt).

Step-by-step explanation:

The experiment described involves two factors: the type of drug (Drug A, Drug B, or placebo) and the type of diet (low-fat or low-salt). To determine the number of different groups altogether, we have to consider all possible combinations between these two factors. With three possibilities for the drug and two for the diet, we calculate the number of groups by multiplying these together:

Number of groups = Number of drug options × Number of diet options

Number of groups = 3 drugs × 2 diets = 6 groups.

Therefore, there are six different groups in this study.

Answer 2

There are a total of 12 groups to study

Step-by-step explanation:

You have 3 possible supplies for each subject and they can have 2 different king of diets. That gives you alredy 3*2 = 6 different options to study. You can divide further when you make the comparisson at the end of the month, allowing you to subdivide into two more categories: wheater their blood pressure is higher or lower.

That gives you a total of 3*2*2 = 12 groups to study.

I hope I could help you!