Aerial photographs are one of many techniques used to monitor wildlife populations.

Knowing the number of animals and their location relative to areas inhabited by the human population is very useful. It is also important to monitor physical characteristics of the animals. Is it possible to use the length of a bear, as estimated from an aerial photograph, to estimate the bear’s age and/or weight? (It would be much safer than asking it to stand on a set of scales! k) The data that follow are for age (in months), gender (1  male, 2  female), length (in inches), and weight (in pounds).

Age Gender Length Weight 19 1 45.0 65 29 2 62.0 121

••• Remainder of data on Student’s Suite CD-ROM.

Source: MINITAB’s Bears.mtw

a. Investigate the relationship between the length and age of the bears. Be sure to include the gender variable.

b. Does there seem to be a predictable pattern for the relationship between length and age? How does gender of the bear affect the relationship?

Explain. Describe the pattern.

c. Investigate the relationship between the length and weight of the bears. Be sure to include the gender variable.

d. Does there seem to be a predictable pattern for the relationship between length and weight?

How does gender of the bear affect the relationship?

Explain. Describe the pattern.

e. If the gender of a smaller or younger bear cannot be determined, how will this affect the estimate for age or weight? Explain.