Question

Making a Prediction Using the Regression Calculator

Enter the data representing the weight loss plan where x is the weekly hours of aerobic activity and y is the pounds lost per month. Use the regression equation to complete the statements.

(.25, 1), (1, 1.5), (1.2, 3), (2.25, 2.25), (2.5, 3.5), (2.8, 4), (3, 5.5), (3.5, 4.5), (4.5, 5.5), (5, 7)

A person who is active for 8 hours weekly could expect to lose
pounds a month.
To lose 5 pounds a month, a person should plan to be active for
hours a week.

Answer 1

The least-squares regression line is approximately
y = 0.712 + 1.178x.

For x = 8 hours/week:
y ≈ 0.712 + 1.178(8) ≈ 10.14
A person active 8 hours weekly could expect to lose about 10.14 pounds per month.

To lose y = 5 pounds/month solve 5 = 0.712 + 1.178x:
x ≈ (5 − 0.712)/1.178 ≈ 3.64
To lose 5 pounds a month, plan on about 3.64 hours of activity per week.

(Values rounded to two decimal places.)