Understanding Scatter Plots and Correlation

This lesson covers scatter plots and trend lines, focusing on creating and interpreting them. Key vocabulary includes scatter plots, trendlines, and correlations. The lesson provides practice problems, such as graphing endangered species data and analyzing correlations in various scenarios. It concludes with a fundraiser example, using trend lines to make predictions.

What is a scatter plot?

• A continuous graph showing a single data set

• A discrete graph relating two sets of data

• A line graph showing trends over time

• A bar graph comparing different categories

What does a trend line on a scatter plot represent?

• The average of all data points

• The relationship between two data sets

• The total number of data points

• The highest and lowest data points

When creating a scatter plot, which variable is typically placed on the x-axis?

• Both variables

• Dependent variable

• Neither variable

• Independent variable

What type of correlation is present when both data sets increase?

• Inverse correlation

• Positive correlation

• No correlation

• Negative correlation

Which of the following describes a negative correlation?

• One data set increases while the other decreases

• Both data sets increase

• Both data sets decrease

• No relationship between data sets

What is indicated by a scatter plot with no discernible pattern?

• Strong correlation

• Negative correlation

• Positive correlation

• No correlation

In the example of TV watching and test scores, what type of correlation is observed?

• Negative correlation

• Positive correlation

• Strong correlation

• No correlation

What is the first step in predicting values using a trend line?

• Connecting all data points

• Drawing a line with equal points above and below

• Identifying the highest data point

• Calculating the average of data points

How do you find the predicted value for a given x-value using a trend line?

• Locate the x-value on the trend line and read the corresponding y-value

• Use the highest y-value in the data set

• Calculate the average of all y-values

• Find the midpoint of the data set

What is the purpose of a trend line in a scatter plot?

• To connect all data points

• To show the average of data points

• To highlight the highest data point

• To illustrate the relationship between variables