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Kristin Hargrove
Cassie Tolhurst
Quantitative Reasoning
Group Project #3

Group Project #3: Linear Functions

Scatterplot I
1.) Explain if this looks like a linear relationship.
After plotting the information that compares city miles per gallon or MPG and the
highway MPG, there is a linear relationship because the model is an acsending straight line
graph.
2.) Does this line look like like its a good fit to generalize the rate of change between
city mileage and highway mileage? Describe the probable relationship.
The line does showcase a good fit between the city mileage and highway mileage
relationship. The linear graph shows a positive correlation between the two data points. A
positive correlation is when the two variable rise and fall together.
3.) Find the rate of change (slope) for the line in Part I. Interpret this rate of change using
the proper units.
(12, 18) (27, 37) m = y2-y1 ---> 37-18 = 19 = 1.27 MPG
x1 y1 x2 y2
x2-x1
27-12 15
1.27 MPG highway per city MPG on average.
4.) Find the equation of the linear equation that gives the highway mileage as a function
of the city mileage.
y = mx + b (12, 18) (27, 37) m = 1.27 b = 2.8 y = 1.27x + 2.8
18 = 1.27 (12) + b
18 = 15.24 + b
-15.24 -15.24

5.) What highway mileage does the function predict for a car that gets 21 mpg in city
driving? Compare this to the Mercedes Benz C-Class C250 and the Subaru Forester 2.5 X
Limited SUV. What are the percent differences between the predicted value and the actual
value? Explain the difference.
y = 1.27 (21) + 2.8 = 29.4 The predicted value for the highway mpg is 29.4.
Predicted Value: (21, 29.4)
Mercedes Actual Value: (21, 31)
Subaru Actual Value: (21, 27)
All the cars have the same city mpg, but so far we can see the highway mpg varies
slightly.
Absolute Value - Reference Value
Reference Value
Mercedes Benz: 31 - 29.4 = .05498 X 100 = 5.49%
29.4
The Mercedes Benz gets 5.49% more on the highway MPG compared to the
predicted value.
Subaru Forester: 27 - 29.4 = - .00816 X 100 = - 8.16%
29.4
The Subaru Forester gets 8.16% less on the highway MPG compared to the
predicted value.
6.) What city mileage does the function predict for car that gets 21 MPG in highway driving?
Compare this to the Acura MDX. What is the percent difference between the predicted value and
the actual value? Explain the difference.
y = 1.27x + 2.8 Highway MPG = 21 Predicted Value = 14.3
21 = 1.27x + 2.8
Acura Actual Value = 16
-2.8
-2.8
18.2 = 1.27x
1.27 1.27
x = 14.3
Absolute Value - Reference Value
Reference Value
16 -14.3 = .11888 X 100 = 11.8%
14.3
The predicted value and the actual value show that the car would get 11/8% more city
mileage than highway mileage.

7.) Explain the constant term (y-intercept) of the function using proper units.
The y-intercept signifies that when you get 0 city MPG, you will get 2.8 highway MPG.
However, that is an unattainable number since it would be impossible for the car to go 0 city
MPG and still function to get highway MPG.

Scatterplot II
1.) Explain if this looks like a linear relationship.
The second scatterplot is also considered a linear relationship because the points of data
create a descending straight line graph.
2.) Draw the best line you can that makes a good fit to generalize the rate of change between a
cars weight and highway mileage.
The line that was drawn for the best fit showed a fairly strong linear relationship with a
negative correlation or when one variable increases, the other variable decreases. In the case of
our information, the heavier the car, the less highway MPG it had.
3.) Find the rate of change (slope) for the line in Part II. Interpret this rate of change using the
proper units.
(3100, 32) , (6350, 18)
x1 y1
x2 y2

m = y2 - y1
x2 - x1
m = 18 -32
= -14 = - 0.0043
6350 - 3100 3250
For every pound increase in the cars weight, there is a 0.0043 decrease in the highway
MPG.
4.) Find the equation of the linear function that gives the highway mileage as a function of the
cars weight.
y = mx + b (3100, 32) m = - 0.0043
32 = - 0.0043 (3100) + b
32 = -13.33 + b
+13.33 +13.33
b = 45.33
y = - 0.0043x + 45.33

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5.) What highway mileage does the function predict for a car weighing 4000 lb? Compare this to
the similar cars in the table. What are the percent differences between the predicted values and
the actual values? Explain the difference.
y = - 0.0043 (4000) + 45.33
y = - 17.2 + 45.33
y = 28.13
Predicted Value = 28.13

Cadillac Actual Value: 27

Jaguar Actual Value: 23

Absolute Value - Reference Value

Reference Value
Cadillac: 27 - 28.13 = -.04017 X 100 = -4.02%
28.13
The Cadillac had 4.02% less highway MPG compared to the predicted value.
Jaguar: 23 - 28.13 = - 0.1823 X 100 = - 18.2%
28.13
The Jaguar had 18.2% less highway MPG compared to the predicted value.
6.) What weight does the function predict for a car that gets 21 MPG in highway driving?
Compare this to similar cars in the table and explain the difference.
21 = - 0.043(x) + 45.33
21 = - 0.043x + 45.33
- 45.33
- 45.33
- 24.33 = - 0.0043x
- 24.33 = - 0.043x
- 0.043 - 0.043
x = 5658
Predicted Value = 5658 lbs.
Acura Actual Value = 5952 lbs.
Absolute Value - Reference Value
Reference Value
Acura: 5952 - 5658 = 0.0519 X 100 = 5.19%
5658
The Acura is 5.19% more heavy in weight than the predicted value.
7.) Explain the constant term (y-intercept) of the function using proper units.
The y-intercept means that if the car weighs 0 lbs, you would get 45.33 highway MPG,
which is not possible and it is not relevant to the graph.