The extreme temperatures for each continent for a given year are listed in the data table. Using a cubic model, a location with a maximum temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit is predicted to have a minimum temperature of 86 degrees. How reliable is this prediction? Give at least two reasons to defend your answer.

Continent Maximum (°F) Minimum (°F)
Africa
136 negative 11
Antarctica 59 negative 129
Asia 129 negative 90
Australia 128 negative 9
Europe 122 negative 67
Oceania 108 14
North America 134 negative 81
South America 120 negative 27

respond in 5 sentences

1 answer

The reliability of the prediction that a location with a maximum temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit will have a minimum temperature of 86 degrees is questionable for several reasons. First, the given data implies extreme temperature variations across different continents, with minimum temperatures often substantially lower than maximum temperatures, suggesting a likely inconsistency when applying a cubic model based on this data. Second, the range of temperatures listed indicates that some continents experience minimums well below zero, which raises concerns about the accuracy of a prediction for a maximum temperature of 95 degrees that falls within a more moderate climate zone. Additionally, cubic models may not adequately capture the complex relationships between maximum and minimum temperatures due to their reliance on a limited dataset, leading to potential overfitting or misrepresentation of trends. Lastly, without a broader dataset or context about specific geographic or climatic factors influencing these temperatures, the prediction should be treated with caution.