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Patterns in Linear Scatter Plots Solutions

• • A    scatter plot    is a graph that visually represents a set of data that pairs    independent    and    dependent     variables to form a correlation. 

  • The trend, or    correlation   , is a relationship between two variables or two data sets.


There are three types of correlation.
 

• •    positive    correlation

  •    negative    correlation

  •    no    correlation.
    
    
  • 
Positive correlation: As x    increases   , y    increases   . 

  • Strong positive correlation:

    
    
    • The ordered pairs are close to each other.
  • 
Weak positive correlation:

    
    
    • The ordered pairs are more spread apart.

  • Negative correlation: As x    increases   , y    decreases    . 

  • Strong negative correlation:

    
    
    • The ordered pairs are close together.

  • Weak negative correlation:

    
    
    • The ordered pairs are more spread apart.

  • No correlation: There is    no relationship    between the variables.

    
  • To describe the correlation, determine    how    the independent variable    affects    the dependent variable (if at all).
  • 
Complete the sentence: As the independent variable increases, the dependent variable [increases/decreases/no effect].

Note

Recall that the independent variable is represented by the x-axis and the dependent variable is represented by the y-axis.

Example 1

Determine the correlation. Describe the correlation meaning in context.

Example 2

Determine the correlation as positive, negative, or no correlation. Describe the correlation meaning in context.