What can be said about the growth trend for boys in Paul's family?

Heights at Different Ages:
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
\hline & Age 8 & Age 12 & Age 16 & Age 20 & Age 24 \\
\hline Paul & 4'8" & 5'0" & 5'11" & 6'1" & 6'1" \\
\hline Bruce & 4'6" & 4'11" & 5'10" & 6'1" & 6'1" \\
\hline Tom & 4'9" & 5'0" & 6'0" & 6'2" & 6'2" \\
\hline Steve & 4'7" & 4'11" & 5'11" & 6'1" & 6'1" \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

Answer choices:
a. All four boys grew at a steady, consistent rate between the ages of 8 and 24.
b. All four boys had a growth spurt around the age of 20.
c. Between the ages of 12 and 16, all four boys had the biggest jump in height.
d. Between the ages of 8 and 12, all four boys had the biggest jump in height.

Please select the best answer from the choices provided.



Answer :

To analyze the growth trends for the boys in Paul's family and determine the age range where they had the biggest jump in height, let's take a look at their height growth at different age intervals. Here's their height data in feet and inches:

- Paul:
- Age 8: 4 ft 8 in
- Age 12: 5 ft 0 in
- Age 16: 5 ft 11 in
- Age 20: 6 ft 1 in
- Age 24: 6 ft 1 in

- Bruce:
- Age 8: 4 ft 6 in
- Age 12: 4 ft 11 in
- Age 16: 5 ft 10 in
- Age 20: 6 ft 1 in
- Age 24: 6 ft 1 in

- Tom:
- Age 8: 4 ft 9 in
- Age 12: 5 ft 0 in
- Age 16: 6 ft 0 in
- Age 20: 6 ft 2 in
- Age 24: 6 ft 2 in

- Steve:
- Age 8: 4 ft 7 in
- Age 12: 4 ft 11 in
- Age 16: 5 ft 11 in
- Age 20: 6 ft 1 in
- Age 24: 6 ft 1 in

To find the biggest jump in height, let's calculate the increase in height during each of the following stages:
1. Ages 8 to 12
2. Ages 12 to 16
3. Ages 16 to 20
4. Ages 20 to 24

Paul:
1. Ages 8 to 12: from 4 ft 8 in to 5 ft 0 in = 4 inches
2. Ages 12 to 16: from 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 11 in = 11 inches
3. Ages 16 to 20: from 5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 1 in = 2 inches
4. Ages 20 to 24: from 6 ft 1 in to 6 ft 1 in = 0 inches

Bruce:
1. Ages 8 to 12: from 4 ft 6 in to 4 ft 11 in = 5 inches
2. Ages 12 to 16: from 4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 10 in = 11 inches
3. Ages 16 to 20: from 5 ft 10 in to 6 ft 1 in = 3 inches
4. Ages 20 to 24: from 6 ft 1 in to 6 ft 1 in = 0 inches

Tom:
1. Ages 8 to 12: from 4 ft 9 in to 5 ft 0 in = 3 inches
2. Ages 12 to 16: from 5 ft 0 in to 6 ft 0 in = 12 inches
3. Ages 16 to 20: from 6 ft 0 in to 6 ft 2 in = 2 inches
4. Ages 20 to 24: from 6 ft 2 in to 6 ft 2 in = 0 inches

Steve:
1. Ages 8 to 12: from 4 ft 7 in to 4 ft 11 in = 4 inches
2. Ages 12 to 16: from 4 ft 11 in to 5 ft 11 in = 12 inches
3. Ages 16 to 20: from 5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 1 in = 2 inches
4. Ages 20 to 24: from 6 ft 1 in to 6 ft 1 in = 0 inches

From the calculations, we can see that the biggest jumps in height occur between the ages of 12 and 16 for all the boys. Therefore, the correct statement about the growth trend for boys in Paul's family is:

c. Between the ages of 12 and 16, all four boys had the biggest jump in height.