The likely support for Ashley's inference comes from comparing the sample median heights in the box plots. Here option B is correct.
To assess whether Ashley's inference about the population of crabapple trees being typically larger than oak trees is supported by the box plots, we need to analyze the relevant features of the plots.
The correct answer is likely option B - "yes, because the sample median height of oak trees is smaller than the sample median height of crabapple trees."
The median is the middle value of a dataset, and in box plots, it is represented by the line inside the box. If the median height of crabapple trees is higher than that of oak trees, it suggests that, on average, crabapple trees are taller.
However, it's important to note that conclusions drawn from box plots should consider other factors such as the spread of the data. Option D may be incorrect if the spread alone doesn't determine the overall size, as outliers can heavily influence the spread. Here option B is correct.
Complete question:
The box plots show the heights of trees in two random samples from two different types of trees. Ashley infers that crabapple trees are typically larger than oak trees. Do the sample data in the box plots support Ashley's inference about the population of trees of each type?
A - yes, because the third quartile of the sample of oak trees and crabapple trees is roughly equal
B - yes, because the sample median height of oak trees is smaller than the sample median height of crabapple trees
C - no, because the sample median height of crabapple trees is smaller than the sample median height of oak trees
D - no, because the sample of crabapple trees covers a larger spread than the sample of oak trees