Question

Archaeopteryx is an extinct beast having feathers like a bird but teeth and a long bony tail like a reptile. Only six fossil specimens are known. Because these specimens vary greatly in size, some scientists think they belong to different species. Others believe some were simply younger than others when they died. We have data on five specimens where both the femur (thigh bone) and humerus (upper arm bone) from the same specimen are intact. The data are the lengths of these bones in centimeters. In this scenario, we will use the ___________ bone length as the explanatory variable. Please choose the correct answer from the following choices, and then select the submit answer button. Answer choices

Answer 1

In this scenario, we will use the femur or the thigh bone length as the explanatory variable.

Explanation:

Dependent variables are those variables that are under study, i.e. they are being observed for any changes when the other variables in the model are changed.

The dependent variables are also known as response variables.

Independent variables are the variables that are being altered to see a proportionate change in the dependent variable. In a regression model there can be one or more than one independent variables.

The independent variables are also known as the explanatory variables.

Scientifically it is believed that the length of arm and legs are related and basically grow at the same time.

So, in this case the explanatory variable can either of the two bone lengths.

Thus, the complete statement is:

"In this scenario, we will use the femur or the thigh bone length as the explanatory variable."