Name:________________________________________
Algebra 1
Scatter Plots and Lines of Best Fit
Types of Correlation/Association that describe relationships between data in scatter plots
Positive linear correlation – Any scatter plot with a general trend or
pattern in the data that goes “up to the right” or “increases” similar
to a “line” shows a positive linear correlation.
Negative linear correlation – Any scatter plot with a general trend
or pattern in the data that goes “down to the right” or “decreases”
similar to a “line” shows a negative linear correlation.
Nonlinear association – Any scatter plot with a general trend or
pattern in the data like a “quadratic U-shape pattern” or an
“exponential curve-shape pattern,” but not a “line” shows a
nonlinear association.
No correlation/No association – Any scatter plot that cannot be
described as “positive linear correlation,” “negative linear
correlation,” or “nonlinear association” shows no correlation/no
association. The scatterplot will not have any trend or pattern in
the data.
1. Tell what type of correlation/association is shown in each scatter plot below.
2. For which of the following situations would you expect a scatter plot to show no correlation?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Miles driven and gallons of gas used.
Driving speed and driving time on a 5-mile stretch of highway.
Number of pages in a book and number of copies sold.
Oven temperature and cooking time for a 12-pound turkey.
3. Tell what type of correlation you would expect from the types of data below. Explain.
3.a. Number of months saving money and total amount of money saved.
3.b. Number of miles driven in a car and the total amount of gasoline remaining in that car’s gas tank.
4. Examine the data table below.
Sandwich
Total Fat (g)
Total Calories
9
12
19
26
29
18
16
10
20
24
28
250
300
410
510
540
380
360
420
530
460
510
Hamburger
Cheeseburger
¼ pounder
¼ pounder w/ cheese
Big Mac
Filet-O-Fish
McChicken
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Big N Tasty
Big N Tasty w/ cheese
4.a. Create a scatter plot for the data table.
4.b. Examine the scatter plot and the data it represents. What type of correlation do you think there is between
the total fat grams and the total calories in these fast food items? Explain.
Type equation here.
4.c. Does the scatter plot above contain any outliers? Explain.
4.d. Draw a line of best fit on you scatter plot and write the equation of the line of best fit below.
4.e. Predict how total calories a sandwich would have if it had 32g of total fat.