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Identifying Best Fit Line for Residuals on a Graph

3.3.4 Identifying Best Fit Line for Residuals on a Graph

3.3.4 • Identifying Best Fit Line for Residuals on a Graph

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Each of these graphs of residuals is from the same set of data using different lines to fit the data. Which graph is most likely to represent the residuals from the best fit line? Be prepared to show your reasoning.

Graph A

A scatter plot of residuals with points at (1,1), (1,0), (1,-1), (2,0), (3,1), and (4,0) on a graph. The x-axis ranges from -1 to 4 and the y-axis from -3 to 3.

Graph B

A scatter plot of residuals on an x-y axis shows points at (1,0), (2,0), (3,0), (4,0), (2,-1), (2,-2), and (3,-1). The x-axis ranges from -1 to 4 and the y-axis from -3 to 3.

Graph C

A scatter plot of residuals with points at (0,0), (1,0), (2,0), (2,-1), (3,0), (3,1), and (4,2) on a coordinate plane. The x-axis ranges from -1 to 4 and the y-axis from -3 to 3.

Graph D

A scatter plot of residuals with points at (1,1), (1,0), (2,0), (2,-1), (2.5,-2), and (3,-2). The x-axis ranges from -1 to 4 and the y-axis from -3 to 3.

Compare your answer:

Graph A is most likely to represent the residuals from the best fit line. The residuals seem well spaced on either side of the xx-axis without an obvious pattern, and all of the residuals are close to 0.