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 design and find support for an experiment to determine the growth rate of the two rabbit breeds.
1) To calculate the average weights of the two rabbit breed groups, add up all the weights and divide by the number of rabbits in each group. The average weight for Breed A is (10+8+7+10+9+9+10+9) / 8 = 9 pounds. The average weight for Breed B is (10+12+14+13+10+15+11+12) / 8 = 12 pounds.
2) Factors that could contribute to the different weights seen within breeds include genetics, diet, exercise level, and overall health of the rabbits. Some rabbit breeds may be naturally larger or smaller, while variations in diet and exercise can lead to weight differences within a breed. Additionally, any underlying health issues or conditions can also affect the weight of an individual rabbit.
3) To determine the growth rate of the two rabbit breeds, I would design an experiment where I measure and record the weights of a sample of rabbits from each breed over a specific period of time, such as six months. I would start by randomly selecting a group of rabbits from each breed and weigh them. Then, I would provide them with the same diet, exercise regimen, and living conditions throughout the study. After the designated time period, I would weigh the rabbits again and compare their weights to the initial measurements to determine their growth rate. To find support for the experiment, I would collect data from a significant number of rabbits from both breeds and ensure that the sample is representative of the overall population of each breed.