Understanding Scatter Plots and Correlations

Miss Nance introduces scatter plots, explaining their purpose in showing relationships between data sets. She describes types of correlations: positive, negative, and no association. The strength of associations can be weak or strong, and scatter plots can be linear or non-linear. She demonstrates using scatter plots to make predictions with examples involving students and lunches, and hours worked versus pay. Trend lines are used to estimate values and make predictions.

What is the primary purpose of a scatter plot?

• To calculate the average of a data set

• To list data in a tabular format

• To show the relationship between two sets of data

• To display individual data points without any relationship

How does a positive correlation appear on a scatter plot?

• Points form a horizontal line

• Points form a downward slope

• Points are scattered randomly

• Points form an upward slope

What does a negative correlation indicate in a scatter plot?

• Both variables decrease together

• One variable increases while the other decreases

• There is no relationship between the variables

• Both variables increase together

What does it mean when a scatter plot shows no association?

• The points are clustered tightly

• The points form a curve

• The points form a perfect line

• The points are spread out with no discernible pattern

How can the strength of an association in a scatter plot be described?

• By the size of the points

• By the shape of the points

• By the color of the points

• By the distance between the points

What characterizes a strong association in a scatter plot?

• Points form a zigzag pattern

• Points are far apart

• Points are close together

• Points are randomly scattered

What does a linear scatter plot indicate?

• The points follow a straight line

• The points are randomly scattered

• The points form a curve

• The points form a zigzag pattern

How does a non-linear scatter plot typically appear?

• As a straight line

• As a random scatter

• As a curve

• As a cluster of points

What type of correlation would you expect between the number of students and lunches made?

• Negative correlation

• Inverse correlation

• Positive correlation

• No correlation

What is the first step in using a scatter plot to make predictions?

• Calculate the average

• Draw a trend line

• Count the data points

• List the data in a table