Question

using the weights (lb) and highway fuel consumption amounts (mi/gal) of the 48 cars listed in the accompanying data set, one gets this regression equation: \\(\hat{y} = 58.9 - 0.00749x\\), where \\(x\\) represents weight. complete parts (a) through (d). click the icon to view the car data. a. the slope is 58.9 and the y-intercept is -0.00749. b. the slope is 58.9 and the y-intercept is 0.007499. c. the slope is 0.00749 and the y-intercept is 58.9. d. the slope is -0.00749 and the y-intercept is 58.9. c. what is the predictor variable? a. the predictor variable is weight, which is represented by y. b. the predictor variable is weight, which is represented by x. c. the predictor variable is highway fuel consumption, which is represented by y. d. the predictor variable is highway fuel consumption, which is represented by x.

Explanation:

To determine the predictor variable, we analyze the regression equation \(\hat{y} = 58.9 - 0.00749x\), where \(x\) represents weight and \(\hat{y}\) represents highway fuel consumption. The predictor variable is the independent variable used to predict the dependent variable. Here, weight (\(x\)) is used to predict highway fuel consumption (\(\hat{y}\)), so the predictor variable is weight, represented by \(x\).

Answer:

B. The predictor variable is weight, which is represented by x.