Scatter Plots

A S 12.4.2

Scatter plots are used for data sets in which there could to be some sort of pattern between two different variables.
Scatter plots are most useful when there are a large number of points. These data Points that do not fit the general points are plotted but not joined. trend is an outlier. Do not consider this point when looking at trends.

An Example
Francois records how many hours his friends spent studying and then records what happens to their marks. It is not easy to see any pattern or trend. e.g. one friend studied for 1 hour and his marks changed by 1% while another friend also studied for one hour and
hours % studying change 1 1 2 3 3 4 6 5 1 -1 2 1 5 3 2 4

Graph this data.

% change

hours % studying change

1 1 2 3 3 4 6 5 1 -1 2 1 5 3 3 4

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1

Study hours

DO NOT connect the dots.

What does Frans notice?

Points are scattered but they seem to be getting higher as the number of hours increase.

Now draw a straight line that runs as close as possible through the middle of the set of data points.

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1

% change

Study hours

This is called the line of best fit It helps to Use your eye - between the variables. show the trend try to get an equal no. of points on either side. Using this line of best fit, suggest Disregard outliers. 1% Franss % change in his mark if he studied 2 hours.

Associations
The relationship between the variables can be either positive, negative or have no When a scatterassociation. an association plot shows or trend between two variables there is not necessarily a cause and effect relationship. It is only a suggestion as both variables could be related to some third variable that actually causes the apparent association.

Types of Scatter Plots

This plot could show an increase in a childs height as their age increases. This plot could show an increase in a childs mass as their age increases.

To

do

Make a suggestion as to what each scatter plot could show.

y Graph A
x x x x x x x

y Graph B
x x x x x x x

y Graph C
x x x x x x x

Which graph most likely represents the following The height of boys and the size of Graph A shirts worn by them. The temperature and the amount of gas needed Graph C to heat a house on a day. The size of shoes of adults Graph B

Lets Plot
A survey of randomly selected learners compared the no. of hours of TV they watched per week with their grade averages. TV Grade Create a scatter plot for this hours % data.
100 80 12 10 5 3 15 16 8 70 85 82 88 65 75 68

Grade %

60 40 20 0 0 4 8 12 TV hours 16

Draw a line of best fit. Classify the linear association.Weak negative Use this line to determine your grade % if you watch 8 hours of TV.
100

80 hours
Grade %

80

60 Can you make any suggestions about 40 the effect that watching TV has on 20 0 4 8 12 0 academic TV hours achievement? The more TV you watch the greater the chance of a decrease in

16

advertised wrongly. Give the age and price. 6 years, R72 000

What type of association is this?trongly negative S

A 4-year old car has to be advertised. What price should it R55 000

Price (R) in thousands

This scatter plot shows the selling price of second hand cars of the samecar is One model.

90 80 70

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0 Age in years

A consumer group collected the following data on the relationship between the mass of a car and its average consumption in /100km. Mass per Create a scatter plot for this (kg) 100km data. 12
1250 1420 950 1850 1220 1650 1010 5 7,6 4,2 6 6,8 7,2 6

per 100km

10 8 6 4 2

0 0 400 800 1200 1600 2000

mass(kg)

Circle the outlier. Circle the car that travels the furthest on 50 of petrol.

12

per 100km

10 8 6 4

What does the 2 graph tell us about 0 the mass of the 0 400 800 1200 1600 200 car and the mass(kg) consumption? The greater the mass, the greater the consumptio Strong positive What type of association is this? Predict the mass if the car uses 1800kg 8/100km.

The scatter plot shows the relationship between the Dollar per Euro and the gold price in 2004. Is the Dollar stronger or weaker if the Dollar per Euro rate increases? Weaker

What does the line of best fit tell us about the relationship between the Dollar, Euro and gold price. The gold price is increasing while the dollar is weakening against

www.rand-forex.co.za