Scatter graphs, correlation and lines of best fit worksheet — GCSE Foundation

1.A scatter graph shows the midday temperature, x °C, and the number of ice creams sold at a seaside kiosk, y. The line of best fit is y = 3x − 20. Give a reason why the y-intercept of this line of best fit is not a sensible estimate of the number of ice creams sold.

2.On a scatter graph the horizontal axis shows height in centimetres and the vertical axis shows mass in kilograms. One point is plotted at (170, 65). Write down the height and the mass of that person.

3.On a scatter graph of the arm span and the height of some pupils, the points rise from left to right. Write down the type of correlation this shows.

4.Write down what a scatter graph is used to show.

5.Four pairs of variables are listed below. Write down the pair that you would expect to show no correlation.

6.Write down the statement that correctly describes the difference between correlation and causation.

7.A scatter graph shows the number of pages, x, in a chapter and the time, y minutes, a pupil took to read it, for 15 chapters. The line of best fit has equation y = 2x + 3. Use the line of best fit to estimate the time taken to read a chapter of 10 pages.

8.A scatter graph of the number of ice creams sold at a seaside kiosk in Bournemouth and the number of sunburn cases treated at a nearby pharmacy, recorded on the same 30 days, shows strong positive correlation. Which statement about this correlation is correct?

9.On a scatter graph of the age of a car, in years, and its value, in pounds, the points fall from left to right. Write down the type of correlation shown.

10.A company found that the higher the price it charged for a product, the lower the satisfaction score its customers gave. The price and the satisfaction score are plotted on a scatter graph. Describe the line of best fit that would be drawn on that graph.

11.A scatter graph shows the number of guests, x, at a wedding and the length of buffet table needed, y metres. The line of best fit is y = 0.5x + 2. Write down what the 2 in this equation tells you about the buffet table.

12.A scatter graph has 12 plotted points. Four pupils each draw a line of best fit on the same graph and count how many of the 12 points lie above their line and how many lie below it: Amir — 10 above, 2 below. Priya — 6 above, 6 below. Kofi — 2 above, 10 below. Leah — 0 above, 12 below. Write down the name of the pupil whose line was drawn correctly, so that the points are roughly balanced above and below it.

13.A straight line is drawn on a scatter graph to show the trend of the points. Write down the name given to this line.

14.In a scatter graph of the age, in years, and the wingspan, in cm, of 20 birds of the same species, all the points lie close to a rising line of best fit except one, which lies a long way below the line. That bird was later found to have a damaged wing. Give a reason why this point should not be used when drawing the line of best fit.

15.Four pairs of variables are listed below. Write down the pair that you would expect to show negative correlation.