Tom is studying the effects of different amounts of fertilizer on the growth of bean plants. Every day, he measures the height of each of the 12 plants he is studying. Today, all of the plants measured at least 6 centimeters, while the tallest was 14 centimeters. The median plant height was 8.8 centimeters, and the interquartile range was about 3.4 centimeters. Which is a measure of how much the plants' heights varied? 3.4 centimeters 8.8 centimeters

The interquartile range (IQR), which is about 3.4 centimeters in Tom's study, is a fantastic way to understand how much the heights of the plants varied. It tells us that the middle half of the plants' heights falls within a range of 3.4 centimeters, indicating the spread of the data away from the median. So, if you're looking for variability, the IQR is your go-to! On the other hand, an interesting aspect of bean plant growth is how different fertilizers can alter not just height but also overall health. In real-world agriculture, understanding these variations can help farmers choose the best fertilizers for maximum crop yield. So, whether you’re growing beans in your backyard or managing a large farm, knowing how to interpret these measurements can lead to greener thumbs all around!