Equation for Best Fit

What is the equation for the line of best fit?

• y = ax + b

• y = mx + a

• y = mx + b

• y = mx + c

Answer explanation

The correct equation for the line of best fit is y = mx + b, where m represents the slope and b represents the y-intercept.

The graph above shows a line of best fit for data collected on the distance bicyclists have remaining in relation to the amount of time they have been riding.  What is the equation of the line of best fit?

• y = -25x + 170

• y = 25x + 170

• y = -(5/8) x + 170

• y = (5/8) x + 170

Answer explanation

The correct equation of the line of best fit is y = -25x + 170, which matches the first answer choice.

Which of the following lines represents the line of best fit for the scatter plot?

• A

• B

• C

• D

What is the line of best fit?

• y = 5/3x + 375

• y = 1/3x + 475

• y = 5/3x + 3

• y = 1/3x + 375

Which of the following could be the equation of the LINE OF BEST FIT for the data shown here?

• y = 3x – 8

• y = -3x – 8

• y = -3x + 8

• y = 3x + 8

• y = 1.45x + 22
• y = -2x + 15
• y = 1.33x + 30
• y = -1.5x + 24

The graph above shows a line of best fit for data collected on the amount earned by waiters and waitresses last week in relation to the number of tables they served.  What is the equation of the line of best fit?

• y = (5/3) x + 375

• y = (1/3) x + 475

• y = (5/3) x + 475

• y = (1/3) x + 375

The equation of the trend line
is  y= 1/2x +1. What does the x variable represent? 

• The number of laps

• The amount of time in hours

• The amount of time in minutes

• How long it takes to go 0 laps

The equation of the trend line
is  y= 1/2x +1
How many laps can a bicycle
make around the park in
23 minutes?    

• 44 laps

• 12 1/2 laps

• 23 laps

Select the statement that best describes the line.

• The line is the line of best fit.

• The line is NOT a line of best fit because it does not pass through two points.

• The line is NOT a line of best fit because it does not go through the middle of the data set.

• The line is NOT a line of best fit because it does not go through the origin.