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Year 8

Interpreting scatter graphs

I can interpret scatter graphs using the data points shown.

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New
New
Year 8

Interpreting scatter graphs

I can interpret scatter graphs using the data points shown.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Scatter graphs can be used to find a second value when the first value is known.
  2. A general trend may be observed from a scatter graph.
  3. Extrapolation may not be valid as this is outside the data set.

Common misconception

Pupils may assume that all there is always a connection between variables in scatter graphs.

Emphasise examples showing no/weak connections, but explain that the tasks use data containing stronger connections for purpose of practice.

Keywords

  • Interpolation - Interpolation is the process of estimating unknown values that are inside the range of existing data.

  • Extrapolation - Extrapolation is the process of estimating unknown values that are outside the range of existing data.

Correlation and lines of best fit are covered in a later unit. This lesson focuses more broadly on seeing general trends and connections between variables based on the shape of scatter graphs.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which point on the graph has the coordinates (3, 8)?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: A
B
C
D
Q2.
What are the coordinates of Point C in this graph?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: (3, 2), (3,2), (3 , 2)
Q3.
Which is another term to describe the independent variable in bivariate data?
dependent variable
Correct answer: explanatory variable
response variable
series
Q4.
A graph is a visual representation for bivariate data, which can be useful when determining the nature of the relationship between the variables.
Correct Answer: scatter
Q5.
A set of bivariate data measures the length of an obstacle course and the time it takes for people to complete it. Which variable is most likely to be the dependent variable?
length of obstacle course
Correct answer: time taken to complete the course
Q6.
A set of bivariate data measures the length of an obstacle course and the time it takes for people to complete it. Which variable should go on the horizontal axis of a scatter graph?
Correct answer: length of obstacle course
time taken to complete the course

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
The scatter graph show minimum and maximum temperatures for different months in a town. Which statement best describes the trend in the data?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Months with higher minimum temperature have higher maximum temperatures.
Months with higher minimum temperature have lower maximum temperatures.
There is no connection between the variables.
Q2.
Which scatter graphs shows a case where as one variable increases the other variable tends to decrease?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
Look at the scatter graph. A new month records a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. Which range could we expect the maximum temperature to be in?
An image in a quiz
4 to 6 degrees Celsius
8 to 11 degrees Celsius
Correct answer: 14 to 17 degrees Celsius
19 to 21 degrees Celsius
Q4.
Look at the scatter graph. A new month records a maximum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. Which range could we expect the minimum temperature to be in?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 4 to 6 degrees Celsius
8 to 11 degrees Celsius
14 to 17 degrees Celsius
19 to 21 degrees Celsius
Q5.
is the process of estimating unknown values that are inside the range of existing data.
Correct Answer: interpolation
Q6.
Which statement is true?
Extrapolation is more reliable than interpolation for estimating data.
Correct answer: Interpolation is more reliable than extrapolation for estimating data.
Extrapolation and interpolation are equally reliable for estimating data.