Rabbits are very popular domesticated animals, so popular that there are over 300 breeds of domesticated rabbits in the world. You attend a rabbit show and notice that all of the breeds vary in many characteristics, such as size, color, and fur length. You notice that there is weight information on the cages of all rabbit individuals at the show and decide to jot down data for two specific rabbit breeds (in pounds):
Breed A: 10, 8, 7, 10, 9, 9, 10, 9
Breed B: 10, 12, 14, 13, 10, 15, 11, 12
In three to five sentences, 1) calculate the average weights of the two rabbit breed groups, 2) describe some factors that could contribute to the different weights seen within breeds, and 3) describe how you would track and find the growth rate of the two rabbit breeds during an investigation.
(4 points)
1) To calculate the average weights of the two rabbit breed groups, we add up all the weights in each group and divide by the number of rabbits. For Breed A, the average weight is (10 + 8 + 7 + 10 + 9 + 9 + 10 + 9) / 8 = 8.875 pounds. For Breed B, the average weight is (10 + 12 + 14 + 13 + 10 + 15 + 11 + 12) / 8 = 12.25 pounds.
2) Factors that could contribute to the different weights seen within breeds include genetics, diet, exercise levels, and overall health. Different breeds may have different genetic predispositions for size or weight. Diet and exercise play a role in determining weight, as rabbits with a high-calorie or low-activity lifestyle may be heavier.
3) To track and find the growth rate of the two rabbit breeds during an investigation, we would need to regularly measure and record their weights at specific intervals. We would start by weighing the rabbits when they are young, and then continue to weigh them every few weeks or months as they grow. By plotting the weights on a graph, we can calculate the growth rate by measuring the change in weight over time.