Best Fit Lines show the general direction of points on a data display. The best fit line doesn't connect the points, but instead is shown to be close to as many points as possible within the constraints of a straight line.This week students measured their heights and jumping heights using meter sticks. These two variables were compared to see if one of them had any effect on the other. For example, does the height of a person affect how high the can jump? The Scatter Plot display of our data should help us see whether the answer to this question is true, or false.
Here is a website that has information and questions about scatter plots. I like the fun graphics and the way the questions give feedback about your answer. Click here to find an interactive Scatter Plots Website
Another website called The Challenge Club shows the steps to create a scatter plot.
Besides comparing the example above about whether tall people have larger hands or not, you can make scatter plots about things you're into. For example whether your favorite band's new album sales relate with the amount of attention that they're getting on the radio or Internet.
Does one thing affect another? When we make a scatter plot and draw a best fit line, we can see the relationship more clearly.
On the website, "Practice with Scatter Plots", there are some key terms that come up when seeing whether one thing affects another. Check out this site for interactive review problems about Algebra too!
ReplyDeleteCorrelation- This is a question of Are things related in some way to each other?
For example, are the sales of hot chocolate related to the temperature outside?
Causal Relationship- The way that one thing influences another
Example- The speed of a runner and the time that it takes the runner to finish