An illustration shows two sets of dot plots. One is titled Weight in Pounds, Cats and the other is Weight in Pounds, Small Dogs. The plots are shown as an abacus-like representation with dots in a vertical row over each number on a number line. For Cats, a number line with arrows on both ends ranges from 9 to 13 in increments of 1. There is 1 dot above 9, 2 dots above 10, 4 dots above 11, 2 dots above 12, and one dot above 13. For Small Dogs, a number line with arrows on both ends ranges from 8 to 15 in increments of 1. There is 1 dot above 8, 2 dots above 9, 4 dots above 10, 2 dots above 11, 2 dots above 12, 2 dots above 13, 1 dot above 14, and 1 dot above 15.
The dot plots show the weights of randomly selected cats and small dogs in different households. Based on an informal assessment of the visual overlap of these distributions, which animal has the least variability in their weights? Why?
3 answers
Based on the dot plots, it appears that small dogs have the least variability in their weights compared to cats. This can be inferred because the dots for small dogs are more evenly distributed across the number line, with most of the dots clustered around the middle values. In contrast, the dots for cats are more spread out across the number line, indicating a wider range of weights and therefore more variability in the weights of cats.
So your saying, small dogs, because the range of their weights is greater than that of cats?
Apologies for the confusion in my previous response. I made an error in my explanation. Let me correct that:
Based on the dot plots, it actually appears that cats have the least variability in their weights compared to small dogs. This can be inferred because the dots for cats are more clustered around the middle values on the number line, with 4 dots above 11 and only 1 dot each above 9 and 13. On the other hand, the dots for small dogs are more spread out across the number line, with more dots above the higher and lower values. This wider spreading out of the dots on the dot plot for small dogs suggests a greater variability in the weights of small dogs compared to cats. Therefore, cats have the least variability in their weights based on the visual representation of the dot plots. Thank you for pointing out the error, and I hope this explanation clarifies it.
Based on the dot plots, it actually appears that cats have the least variability in their weights compared to small dogs. This can be inferred because the dots for cats are more clustered around the middle values on the number line, with 4 dots above 11 and only 1 dot each above 9 and 13. On the other hand, the dots for small dogs are more spread out across the number line, with more dots above the higher and lower values. This wider spreading out of the dots on the dot plot for small dogs suggests a greater variability in the weights of small dogs compared to cats. Therefore, cats have the least variability in their weights based on the visual representation of the dot plots. Thank you for pointing out the error, and I hope this explanation clarifies it.