A sample of \(n=61\) penguin burrows was selected. and values of both \(y=\) trail
length \((\mathrm{m})\) and \(x=\) soil hardness (force required to penetrate the
substrate to a depth of \(12 \mathrm{~cm}\) with a certain gauge, in
\(\mathrm{kg}\) ) were determined for each one ("Effects of Substrate on the
Distribution of Magellanic Penguin Burrows," The Auk [1991]: 923-933). The
equation of the least-squares line was \(\hat{y}=11.607-\) \(1.4187 x\), and
\(r^{2}=.386\).
a. Does the relationship between soil hardness and trail length appear to be
linear, with shorter trails associated with harder soil (as the article
asserted)? Carry out an appropriate test of hypotheses.
b. Using \(s_{e}=2.35, \bar{x}=4.5\), and \(\sum(x-\bar{x})^{2}=250\), predict
trail length when soil hardness is \(6.0\) in a way that conveys information
about the reliability and precision of the prediction.
c. Would you use the simple linear regression model to predict trail length
when hardness is \(10.0 ?\) Explain your reasoning.