Scatterplots — Reading the Data

A scatterplot shows the relationship between two variables as dots on a graph.

Correlation:

Positive: As x increases, y increases (dots go up-right)

Negative: As x increases, y decreases (dots go down-right)

None: No pattern

Line of best fit: A straight line that best represents the trend.

"Based on the line of best fit, what is the predicted y when x = 10?"

Find x = 10, go to the line, read y.

"Which data point is farthest from the line of best fit?"

The dot most vertically distant from the line — that's the outlier.

Interpreting slope: "For each additional hour of study, the test score increases by approximately 5 points." The slope IS the rate of change in context.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Scatter Plot

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scatter_plot