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Scatter Plots (Displaying Bivariate Data)

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What you will learn from this videoWhat you will learn
- We'll learn how to display data using a scatter plot.
- We’ll also learn that a scatter plot can show the relationship between two variables.
- And we'll discover how this knowledge can help us sell ice cream, climb mountains, and even take care of a dog.
- Discussion Questions
Before Video
What is data? What are some examples of data you could collect?ANSWERData is information that is collected. Answers will vary.
I make a number line that shows the range of the data in my data set. Then I put a point above a number on the number line for each time that number appears in my data set.
Sarrie could plot either the distances OR the times on a line plot. She couldn't plot both on the same line plot.
No, all of the data displays I know only show one variable.
They may want to figure out if the data have a relationship, like if being further from school means they take longer to get to school.
After Video
What are some examples of bivariate data you could collect?ANSWERIt should be data where the information collected has two numeric values, such as height versus weight.
Pick one variable to be on the x-axis. The other variable goes on the y-axis. Write a coordinate pair for each piece of data. Then plot each data point.
In general, as the x-value increases, the y-value also increases.
In general, as the x-value increases, the y-value decreases.
I can draw a line that goes approximately through the middle of the data. To find the equation, I can use two points on the line to calculate the slope. I can also use a point and the slope, or look at the graph, to find the y-intercept. The equation is in the form y = mx + b.
- Vocabulary
- Line plot DEFINE
A data display that shows single-variable data as points along a number line.
- Data DEFINE
Information gathered.
- Bivariate data DEFINE
Data that has two variables.
- Coordinate plane DEFINE
A two-dimensional plane made up of two number lines that intersect at 0.
- Coordinate pair DEFINE
When you plot a point on a coordinate plane, you identify the location of the point on the x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical). A coordinate pair shows the location in the form (x-coordinate, y-coordinate).
- Scatter plot DEFINE
A data display that shows bivariate data on a coordinate plane.
- Positive association DEFINE
A trend in bivariate data where when the value of the x-coordinate increases, the value of the y-coordinate also increases.
- Negative association DEFINE
A trend in bivariate data where when the value of the x-coordinate increases, the value of the y-coordinate decreases.
- Outlier DEFINE
A value that does not follow the general trend of a set of data.
- Cluster DEFINE
Bivariate data is clustered if the data are very close together when plotted.
- Line plot DEFINE
- Reading Material
- Practice Word Problems
- Practice Number Problems
- Lesson Plan
- Teacher Guide