Question: Do heavier people burn more energy? Metabolic rate, the rate at which the body consumes energy, is important in studies of weight gain, dieting, and exercise. We have data on the lean body mass and resting metabolic rate for 12 women who are subjects in a study of dieting. Lean body mass, given in kilograms, is a person's weight leaving out all fat. Metabolic rate is measured in calories burned per 24 hours. The researchers believe that lean body mass is an important influence on metabolic rate.
(a) Use your calculator to help sketch a scatterplot to examine the researchers' belief.
(b) Describe the direction, form, and strength of the relationship.