Question 45 • Probability and Statistics with Applications Honors Sem-1-FL-1210300 (2024-2025)
A botanist wants to determine if a fertilizer is effective in the growth of plants. He randomly selects 100 of the same type of seedling and randomly assigns them to two groups: one that uses the fertilizer, and one that does not. He makes sure the plants all have the same amount of water, soil, and light for two months. At the end of two months, he measures the heights of the plants and finds that the ones receiving the fertilizer are significantly taller.
Answer
A
Inferences can be made for all plants, and the conclusion can be drawn that the fertilizer will help all plants grow taller.
B
Inferences cannot be made for all plants, and the conclusion cannot be drawn that the fertilizer will help these plants grow taller.
C
Inferences can be made for these types of plants, and the conclusion can be drawn that the fertilizer will help these types of plants grow taller.
D
Inferences cannot be made for these types of plants, and the conclusion cannot be drawn that the fertilizer will help these types of plants grow taller.
Explanation
The seedlings were randomly selected from one type of plant, so the results can be generalized to that type, not to every kind of plant. Random assignment to fertilizer and no-fertilizer groups, while keeping other conditions the same, supports concluding that the fertilizer caused taller growth in these types of plants. Therefore, the correct choice is C: inferences can be made for these types of plants, and the fertilizer can be concluded to help them grow taller.
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