A Traffic Consultant Has Analysed the Factors That Affect the Number

question 80

Essay

A traffic consultant has analysed the factors that affect the number of traffic fatalities. She has come to the conclusion that two important variables are the number of cars and the number of tractor-trailer trucks. She proposed the second-order model with interaction: $y =$ $\beta _ { 0 } + \beta _ { 1 } x _ { 1 } + \beta _ { 2 } x _ { 2 } + \beta _ { 3 } x _ { 1 } ^ { 2 } + \beta _ { 4 } x _ { 2 } ^ { 2 } + \beta _ { 5 } x _ { 1 } x _ { 2 } + \varepsilon$ .
Where:
y = number of annual fatalities per shire. $x _ { 1 }$ = number of cars registered in the shire (in units of 10 000). $x _ { 2 }$ = number of trucks registered in the shire (in units of 1000).
The computer output (based on a random sample of 35 shires) is shown below.
THE REGRESSION EQUATION IS $y =$ $69.7 + 11.3 x _ { 1 } + 7.61 x _ { 2 } - 1.15 x _ { 1 } ^ { 2 } - 0.51 x _ { 2 } ^ { 2 } - 0.13 x _ { 1 } x _ { 2 }$ . $$\begin{array} { | c | r r r | } \hline \text { Predictor } & \text { Coef } & \text { SDev } & T \\\hline \text { Constant } & 69.7 & 41.3 & 1.688 \\x _ { 1 } & 11.3 & 5.1 & 2.216 \\x _ { 2 } & 7.61 & 2.55 & 2.984 \\x _ { 1 } ^ { 2 } & - 1.15 & 0.64 & - 1.797 \\x _ { 2 } ^ { 2 } & - 0.51 & 0.20 & - 2.55 \\x _ { 1 } x _ { 2 } & - 0.13 & 0.10 & - 1.30 \\\hline\end{array}$$ S = 15.2 R-Sq = 47.2%.
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE $$\begin{array} { | l | c c c c | } \hline \text { Source of } & d f & \text { SS } & M S & F \\\text { Variation } & & & & \\\hline \text { Regression } & 5 & 5959 & 1191.800 & 5.181 \\\text { Error } & 29 & 6671 & 230.034 & \\\hline \text { Total } & 34 & 12630 & & \\\hline\end{array}$$ Test at the 1% significance level to determine whether the $x _ { 2 }$ term should be retained in the model.

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Definitions:

Gastrointestinal Hormones

Hormones released by the cells in the gastrointestinal tract that control various aspects of digestive functions.

Fat Content

The proportion of fat in a food or material.

Blood Glucose Levels

The concentration of glucose present in the blood, an important indicator of metabolic health and essential for diagnosing and managing diabetes.

Sympathetic Stimulation

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure.