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

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

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

3.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.

4.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.

5.A scatter graph shows the number of hours of sunshine, x, and the number of visitors, y, at an outdoor swimming pool in Torquay on each of 15 days. The line of best fit passes through the points (5, 150) and (15, 350). Work out the estimated number of visitors on a day with 8 hours of sunshine, using the line of best fit.

6.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.

7.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.

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

9.A scatter graph plots the shoe size and the spelling test score of 25 pupils. The points are scattered with no pattern across the graph. Write down the type of correlation shown.

10.A scatter graph shows the mass, x kg, of a parcel and the cost, y pounds, of posting it. The line of best fit is y = 1.5x + 2. Work out the estimated cost of posting a parcel with a mass of 6 kg, using the line of best fit.

11.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.

12.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.

13.A scatter graph shows the number of years of experience, x, of 18 sales assistants and their monthly sales, y hundred pounds. The plotted points run from x = 1 to x = 12 years, and the line of best fit is y = 4x + 20. A new assistant has 25 years of experience. Use the line of best fit to estimate a value of y for this assistant, and decide whether the estimate would be reliable.

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

15.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.