Scatter Plots

A scatter plot is a type of mathematical diagram using Cartesian coordinates to display values for two variables for a set of data. The data is displayed as a collection of points, each having the value of one variable determining the position on the horizontal axis, and the value of the other variable determining the position on the vertical axis.

Creating a Scatter Plot

To create a scatter plot, follow these steps:

1. Collect your data for the two variables you want to compare.
2. Label the horizontal axis with one variable and the vertical axis with the other variable.
3. For each data point, plot a single point on the graph, with the x-coordinate representing one variable and the y-coordinate representing the other variable.
4. Look for patterns or relationships between the variables based on the distribution of the points on the graph.

Interpreting a Scatter Plot

When analyzing a scatter plot, consider the following:

• Direction: Is there a general direction (positive, negative, or no correlation) that the points are moving?
• Strength: How closely do the points follow a clear pattern or trend? Is the relationship strong or weak?
• Outliers: Are there any points that do not follow the general pattern of the rest of the data?
• Clusters: Are the points clustered in certain areas of the graph?

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember when studying scatter plots:

1. A scatter plot is used to display the relationship between two sets of data.
2. The horizontal axis represents one variable and the vertical axis represents the other variable.
3. The pattern of the points on the scatter plot can indicate the nature of the relationship between the variables.
4. Correlation can be positive, negative, or neutral, and can also vary in strength.
5. Outliers and clusters of points should be noted when interpreting a scatter plot.

Remember to practice creating and interpreting scatter plots with different sets of data to strengthen your understanding of this concept.