How is the target height of a child calculated for boys and girls?

The correct approach to estimating a child's target height involves using the mean parental height adjusted for gender. For boys, the formula adds 2.5 inches to the mean of the parents' heights, while for girls, it subtracts 2.5 inches. This adjustment accounts for the general growth patterns observed in children based on their sex.

The rationale behind this is that boys tend to be taller than girls on average, hence the positive adjustment for boys and the negative adjustment for girls. By applying these specific adjustments, one can more accurately estimate the target height for boys and girls based on the heights of their parents. This method reflects the biological differences in growth patterns and the average height differences between genders as children mature.

Using centimeters or making a conversion does not affect the accuracy of the formula itself, but the method in the correct answer specifies that the calculation is conducted using inches, which aligns with common practice in this context.