5. Problem Solving Applied: Estimating Height from Bone Lengths

skeleton diagram (ref)

Height estimation from femur length:

female_height = femur_length * 1.94 + 28.7

male_height = femur_length * 1.88 + 32

Height estimation from humerus length:

female_height = humerus_length * 2.8 + 28.2

male_height = humerus_length * 2.9 + 27.9

General formula:

height = length * c1 + c2

The constants c1,c2 are derived by approximating measured data (e.g. table, plot) with a linear curve (textbook optional sections 3.8-3.9 and program chapter3_10.c).

chapter2_2.c - estimate height from length of bones

Bones in the news: New evidence in the search for Amelia Earhart, Bones found in 1940 may have been those of the lost aviatrix. The Economist, Feb. 10, 2018 (local copy)