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 the weights for each breed and divide by the number of measurements. For Breed A, the average weight is (10+8+7+10+9+9+10+9)/8 = 71/8 = 8.875 pounds. For Breed B, the average weight is (10+12+14+13+10+15+11+12)/8 = 97/8 = 12.125 pounds.
2) Factors that could contribute to the different weights within breeds include genetics, diet, exercise, and age. Some rabbits may have genetic predispositions to be larger or smaller. Their diet and exercise levels can also affect their weight. Finally, younger or older rabbits may weigh less or more respectively.
3) To track and find the growth rate of the two rabbit breeds during an investigation, we would need to take regular measurements of their weights at different ages or time intervals. We could record the weights on a chart or spreadsheet and plot them over time to observe their growth patterns. By calculating the rate of change in weight over a specific time period, we can determine the growth rate for each breed.