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Comparing Scatter Plots with Linear and Nonlinear Trends

3.4.1 Comparing Scatter Plots with Linear and Nonlinear Trends

3.4.1 • Comparing Scatter Plots with Linear and Nonlinear Trends

Warm Up

Which one doesn’t belong?

A.

Scatter plot showing cost in dollars versus distance in miles. The data points form a roughly straight line, indicating cost increases with distance from 0 to 10 miles and $0 to $22.

B.

A scatter plot showing points representing weight (milligrams) on the y-axis and height (millimeters) on the x-axis, with values ranging from 0–22 for weight and 0–10 for height.

C.

Scatter plot showing a negative correlation between precipitation (cm) on the x-axis and water used for irrigation (thousands of gallons) on the y-axis; as precipitation increases, irrigation water use decreases.

D.

Scatter plot showing number of phytoplankton (in tens of thousands) increasing sharply as temperature rises from 0°C to 10°C, with a noticeable spike above 6°C.

Compare your answer:

Your answer may vary, but here are some samples.

A doesn’t belong because it is the only scatter plot with data that fit a line well and are increasing.

B doesn’t belong because it is the only scatter plot with data that would not fit a line well and do not show a pattern.

C doesn’t belong because it is the only scatter plot with data that would fit a line well and are decreasing.

D doesn’t belong because it is the only scatter plot with data that would not fit a line well and do show a curved pattern.