Question

Metabolic rate, the rate at which the body consumes energy, is important in studies of weight gain, dieting, and exercise. We have data on the lean body mass and resting metabolic rate for 12 women who are subjects in a study of dieting. Lean body mass, given in kilograms, is a person's weight leaving out all fat. Metabolic rate is measured in calories burned per 24 hours.

The researchers believe that lean body mass is an important influence on metabolic rate. Given is the scatterplot of body mass versus metabolic rate.

Describe the relationship between lean body mass and metabolic rate.

• There is a strong, positive, linear association.

• There is a positive, linear association between lean body mass and metabolic rate. There are no unusual points.

• There is a strong, positive association between lean body mass and metabolic rate. There are no unusual points.

• There is a strong, positive association between lean body mass and metabolic rate. There are no unusual points.

• There is a strong, positive, linear association between lean body mass and metabolic rate. There are no unusual points.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

There is a strong, positive, linear association between lean body mass and metabolic rate. There are no unusual points.

The scatterplot shows a clear upward trend, indicating a positive association between lean body mass and metabolic rate. The data points are also tightly clustered around the trend line, indicating a strong association. There are no unusual points that would suggest a nonlinear relationship or outliers.

Therefore, the best description of the relationship between lean body mass and metabolic rate is a strong, positive, linear association.