The same five observations are being modeled by two candidate lines.
<table><tr><th>\(x\)</th><th>Observed \(y\)</th></tr><tr><td>\(1\)</td><td>\(10\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(2\)</td><td>\(14\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(3\)</td><td>\(13\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(4\)</td><td>\(18\)</td></tr><tr><td>\(5\)</td><td>\(20\)</td></tr></table>
Model A: \(\hat y=2x+9\)
Model B: \(\hat y=x+10\)
a) Calculate the five residuals, in increasing order of \(x\), for each model.
b) Describe the residual pattern for each model as \(x\) increases.
c) Which model is more reasonable for these observations? What does Model B's residual pattern suggest about its slope?
Hints
- For each candidate line, compare the observed response with that model's prediction at the same \(x\)-value.
- Keep the residuals in increasing order of \(x\) so any pattern is visible.
- A useful linear model should not leave a clear directional trend in its residuals.
Solution
1. For Model A, the predictions are \(11,13,15,17,19\). Subtracting prediction from observation gives residuals \(-1,1,-2,1,1\).
2. For Model B, the predictions are \(11,12,13,14,15\). The residuals are \(-1,2,0,4,5\).
3. Model A's residuals fluctuate on both sides of zero without a clear increasing or decreasing pattern.
4. Model B's residuals tend to increase as \(x\) increases. The model increasingly underpredicts at larger \(x\)-values, indicating that its slope is too small.
5. Model A is therefore the more reasonable of the two candidate lines for these observations.
Answer
a) Model A: \(-1,1,-2,1,1\)
Model B: \(-1,2,0,4,5\)
b) Model A's residuals fluctuate around zero without a clear trend. Model B's residuals generally increase as \(x\) increases.
c) Model A is more reasonable. Model B increasingly underpredicts at larger \(x\), so its slope is too small.