Answers to Analyzing Data 8.1 Questions
1. The average number of attacks (per 5 minutes) is 10.3 for a single individual (a group of size 1); 12 for a group of 4; 9.3 for a group of 6;
8.5 for a group of 15; 13 for a group of 50; and 10.5 for a group of 70.
These results indicate that the predator does not have a strong preference for attacking either small or large groups—the risk of attack is similar for groups of all sizes.| Number of insects in group | Number of attacks (per 5 minutes) |
| 1 | 10.3 |
| 4 | 12.0 |
| 6 | 9.3 |
| 15 | 8.5 |
| 50 | 13.0 |
| 70 | 10.5 |
2. To determine the average number of attacks per individual (per 5 minutes), we must divide the results we found in Question 1 by the number of individuals in the different groups. Thus we have:
| Number of insects in group | Number of attacks per individual (per 5 minutes) |
| 1 | 10.3 |
| 4 | 3.0 |
| 6 | 1.6 |
| 15 | 0.56 |
| 50 | 0.26 |
| 70 | 0.15 |
These results show that the average number of attacks per individual (per 5 minutes) declines dramatically with group size.
3. Yes, these results are consistent with the dilution effect: as the size of a group increases, an individual's chance of being eaten decreases.
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