The means of the weights (\(x\)) and gas mileage (\(y\)) are calculated as follows:
\[
\bar{x} = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i = 3450.0
\]
\[
\bar{y} = \frac{1}{n} \sum_{i=1}^{n} y_i = 18.5
\]
The correlation coefficient (\(r\)) is computed to assess the strength and direction of the linear relationship between weight and gas mileage:
\[
r = -0.9636
\]
The slope (\(\beta\)) and intercept (\(\alpha\)) of the regression line are determined using the following formulas:
Numerator for \(\beta\):
\[
\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i y_i - n \bar{x} \bar{y} = 630300 - 10 \cdot 3450.0 \cdot 18.5 = -7950.0
\]
Denominator for \(\beta\):
\[
\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i^2 - n \bar{x}^2 = 119850000 - 10 \cdot 3450.0^2 = 825000.0
\]
Thus, the slope is:
\[
\beta = \frac{-7950.0}{825000.0} = -0.0096
\]
The intercept is calculated as:
\[
\alpha = \bar{y} - \beta \bar{x} = 18.5 - (-0.0096) \cdot 3450.0 = 51.7455
\]
The equation of the line of best fit is given by:
\[
y = 51.7455 - 0.0096x
\]
For every pound added to the weight of the car, gas mileage in the city will decrease by \( -0.0096 \) mile(s) per gallon, on average. A weightless car will get \( 51.7455 \) miles per gallon.
For a car weighing \( 3640 \) pounds, the estimated average miles per gallon is calculated as follows:
\[
\text{Estimated mileage} = \beta \cdot 3640 + \alpha = -0.0096 \cdot 3640 + 51.7455 = 16.8015
\]
The actual mileage of the car is \( 17 \) miles per gallon. Comparing this with the estimated mileage:
\[
\text{Actual mileage} = 17 \quad \text{and} \quad \text{Estimated mileage} = 16.8015
\]
Since \( 17 > 16.8015 \), the miles per gallon of this car is above average for cars of this weight.
- For every pound added to the weight of the car, gas mileage in the city will decrease by \( -0.0096 \) mile(s) per gallon, on average.
- A weightless car will get \( 51.7455 \) miles per gallon.
- The estimated average miles per gallon for a car weighing \( 3640 \) pounds is \( 16.8015 \).
- The miles per gallon of this car is above average for cars of this weight.
\[
\boxed{\text{Slope: } -0.0096, \text{ Intercept: } 51.7455, \text{ Estimated MPG: } 16.8015, \text{ Comparison: Above average}}
\]