Scatter Graphs

August 23, 2016

Students learn how to plot and interpret a scatter graph.  Learning progresses from using the line of best fit to find missing values to understanding whether correlation means causation.

This unit takes place in Year 10 Term 1 for Foundation students and Year 9 Term 5 for Higher students.  This unit follows on from statistical representation.

Scatter Graphs Lessons
Algebra: Interactive Lessons
Coordinates in the First Quadrant
4 Part Lesson
Coordinates in the First Quadrant
Students learn how to plot and read coordinate pairs in the first quadrant.
Handling Data: Interactive Lessons
Interpreting Scatter Graphs
4 Part Lesson
Interpreting Scatter Graphs
Students learn how to use the line of best fit to estimate missing data values.
Handling Data: Free Resources
Plotting Scatter Graphs
4 Part Lesson
Plotting Scatter Graphs
Students learn how to plot scatter graphs to identify whether any correlation exists between to measurements.
Additional Resources
Handling Data: Interactive Lessons
Scatter Graphs
Extended Learning
Scatter Graphs
Students gain additional plotting and interpreting scatter graphs.
Handling Data: Interactive Lessons
Revising Scatter Graphs and Correlation
Revision
Scatter Graphs and Correlation
Revision lesson on plotting and interpreting scatter graphs for exam students.
Prerequisite Knowledge
  • Solve comparison, sum and difference problems using information presented in a line graph
  • Interpret and present discrete and continuous data using appropriate graphical methods, including bar charts and time graphs.
  • Work with coordinates in all four quadrants
Success Criteria
  • apply statistics to describe a population
  • use and interpret scatter graphs of bivariate data; recognise correlation and know that it does not indicate causation;
  • draw estimated lines of best fit; make predictions; interpolate and extrapolate apparent trends whilst knowing the dangers of doing so.
Key Concepts
  • Scatter graphs need to be drawn on graph paper or using I.C.T to ensure accuracy and help identify the line of best fit.
  • Two measurements are ‘associated’ if the points lie approximately along a straight line. This shows a linear relationship. However, an association between two variables can exist in a non-linear relationship.
  • Correlation is used to describe the strength of a linear relationship between two variables. If no correlation exists (the points do not appear to follow a trend of direction) the two variables are considered to have no linear relationship.
Common Misconceptions
  • Students often have difficulty choosing a suitable scale to use for each axis. Encourage the use of graph paper to ensure the graph is appropriately scaled.
  • When drawing the line of best fit by eye it should represent the directional trend of the data. It does not have to intersect the origin or travel through every point.
  • Correlation does not always imply a causal relationship since other factors could contribute.

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