Author Question: Suppose a professor teaching from your textbook makes the comment that The media responds to what is ... (Read 88 times)

KWilfred · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

Suppose a professor teaching from your textbook makes the comment that The media responds to what is sensational, and typically pays more attention to the least deadly natural disasters. Consider what you have learned about the number of deaths associated with different types of disasters, and explain what the professor means by the statement

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Consider Figure 1-4 from the text. The top line represents the 10-year average total losses.

A UN researcher is interested in describing the expected cost of natural disasters over the next twenty years. Should the researcher focus on the information in the bar charts or the lines? Would it be appropriate for the researcher to use a linear model in their forecast? Explain your answer clearly in the context of the graph.

What will be an ideal response?

amcvicar · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER: Disasters like volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes are sensational in the sense that they are sudden, dramatic events with strong imagery. These disasters represent a small percentage of deaths from natural hazards. The deadliest natural disasters include drought and winter weather. These disasters occur over a long time and do not have a sensational sense of drama and imagery.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER: The researcher should use the 10-year average (indicated by the lines on the graph) to predict what will happen over the next ten years. Since the type and effect of natural disasters are unpredictable, the yearly losses are very variable. The 10-year average is a more accurate summary of what will happen over time.

The 10-year averages are increasing in a steady fashion that looks like small variations around a linear trend. A linear fit is appropriate.