AQA S1 2012 January — Question 5

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleS1 (Statistics 1)
Year2012
SessionJanuary
TopicLinear regression
TypeCalculate y on x from raw data table

5 An experiment was undertaken to collect information on the burning of a specific type of wood as a source of energy. At given fixed levels of the wood's moisture content, \(x\) per cent, its corresponding calorific value, \(y \mathrm { MWh } /\) tonne, on burning was determined. The results are shown in the table.
\(\boldsymbol { x }\)5101520253035404550556065
\(\boldsymbol { y }\)5.24.74.34.03.22.82.52.21.81.51.31.00.6
  1. Explain why calorific value is the response variable.
  2. Calculate the equation of the least squares regression line of \(y\) on \(x\), giving your answer in the form \(y = a + b x\).
  3. Interpret, in context, your values for \(a\) and \(b\).
  4. Use your equation to estimate the wood's calorific value when it has a moisture content of 27 per cent.
  5. Calculate the value of the residual for the point \(( 35,2.5 )\).
  6. Given that the values of the 13 residuals lie between - 0.28 and + 0.23 , comment on the likely accuracy of your estimate in part (d).
    1. Give a general reason why your equation should not be used to estimate the wood's calorific value when it has a moisture content of 80 per cent.
    2. Give a specific reason, based on the context of this question and with numerical support, why your equation cannot be used to estimate the wood's calorific value when it has a moisture content of 80 per cent.