Figure 97 displays a scatterplot that compares the mean lengths and mean heights of 51 types of dinosaurs. There are two main categories (called orders) of dinosaurs: Saurischians and Ornithischians. Saurischians had a pelvis also found in modern lizards, whereas Ornithischians had a pelvis that was more bird-like.

a. Are the Ornithischian and Saurischian models quite similar or quite different? Explain. For which lengths of dinosaurs is it reasonable to compare the models?
b. Suppose a paleontologist discovers the fossils of a new type of Saurischian, which she estimates has length 30 meters. Use the Saurischian model to estimate the height. Do you have much faith in your estimate? Explain. c. Suppose a paleontologist discovers the fossils of a new type
of Ornithischian, which he estimates has length 30 meters. Use the Ornithischian model to estimate the height. Do you have much faith in your estimate? Explain.
d. Use the Saurischian model to estimate the heights of Saurischians that are 10 meters, 20 meters, and 30 meters in length.
e. Use the results you found in part (d) to find three ratios of height to length for Saurischians. Round each ratio to the first decimal place and compare them. How could a paleontologist use your result to quickly estimate the height of a Saurischian for a given length?

Transcribed Image Text:

Dinosaur Lengths versus Heights 30 25 20 15 10 10 20 0 40 50 Length (meters) Type of Dinosaur Ornithischian ■ Sairischian