Refer to the table of body temperatures (degrees Fahrenheit). Is there some meaningful way in which each body temperature recorded at 8 AM is matched with the 12 AM temperature?
\begin{tabular}{|l|c|c|c|c|c|}
\hline & \multicolumn{5}{|c|}{ Subject } \\
\hline & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\
\hline 8 AM & 97.0 & 98.5 & 97.6 & 97.7 & 98.7 \\
\hline 12 AM & 97.6 & 97.8 & 98.0 & 98.4 & 98.4 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
A. No. The 8 AM temperature are from one individual over five days and the 12 AM temperatures are from another individual over five days.
B. Yes. The 8 AM temperatures are all from one individual over five days and the 12 AM temperatures are from a different individual on the same five days, so each pair is matched.
C. Yes. Each column of 8 AM and 12 AM temperatures is recorded from the same subject, so each pair is matched.
D. Yes. The 8 AM temperatures are all from one individual over five days and the 12 AM temperatures are from the same individual on the same five days, so each pair is matched.
Answer (1)
The table presents paired data of body temperatures recorded at 8 AM and 12 AM for five subjects. Option C correctly states that each column represents the same subject, implying a natural matching between the 8 AM and 12 AM temperatures for each subject. Therefore, the answer is C.
Explanation
Analyze the problem The table presents body temperatures recorded at 8 AM and 12 AM for five subjects. The question asks whether there is a meaningful way to match each 8 AM temperature with a 12 AM temperature. We need to evaluate the options to determine the correct interpretation of the data.
Evaluate Option A Option A suggests that there is no meaningful way to match the temperatures, implying that the 8 AM and 12 AM temperatures are from different individuals on different days. This contradicts the structure of the table, where each column seems to correspond to a specific subject.
Evaluate Option B Option B suggests that the 8 AM temperatures are from one individual over five days, and the 12 AM temperatures are from a different individual on the same five days. This also contradicts the table structure, as each column appears to represent a single subject at two different times.
Evaluate Option C Option C suggests that each column of 8 AM and 12 AM temperatures is recorded from the same subject. This implies a natural matching between the 8 AM and 12 AM temperatures for each subject. This aligns with the table's structure.
Evaluate Option D Option D suggests that both 8 AM and 12 AM temperatures are from the same individual on the same five days, so each pair is matched. This is similar to option C and also aligns with the table's structure. However, the wording in option C is more precise as it directly states that each column represents the same subject.
Determine the correct option Based on the analysis, option C provides the most accurate and meaningful interpretation of the data. Each column represents a subject, and the 8 AM and 12 AM temperatures are recorded for that subject.
Examples
In medical studies, researchers often collect data from the same subjects at different times to observe changes or trends. For example, a doctor might measure a patient's blood pressure at different times of the day to understand how it fluctuates. This type of paired data is crucial for drawing meaningful conclusions about individual responses to treatments or conditions.
