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

1.A scatter graph has 50 points. Most of them lie close to a rising line of best fit, but two of them lie a long way from that line. Write down how those two points should be treated.

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

3.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.

4.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.

5.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.

6.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.

7.The age, in years, and the score in a reaction test are recorded for eight members of a sports club: (14, 92), (18, 88), (23, 85), (27, 80), (31, 78), (36, 74), (42, 70), (49, 65). The eight pairs are plotted on a scatter graph. Describe the correlation between age and score.

8.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.

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

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

11.A scatter graph shows the number of days, x, that each of 16 tomato plants was watered and its height, y cm. The line of best fit has equation y = 1.5x + 4. Write down what the 1.5 in this equation tells you about the plants.

12.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.

13.A study found that people who drink more coffee tend to concentrate better at work. A coffee company says that this shows that drinking coffee improves concentration. Give the reason why this conclusion cannot be drawn.

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.