New
New
Year 10
Foundation

Checking understanding of correlation

I can interpret scatter graphs.

New
New
Year 10
Foundation

Checking understanding of correlation

I can interpret scatter graphs.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The distribution of the data points may suggest correlation.
  2. The type of correlation should be interpreted in context.
  3. Correlation does not mean causation.

Common misconception

Correlation between two variables always means that one variable has a causal effect on the other.

Two variables may have correlation because they are both dependent on a third variable. E.g. one slide shows correlation between the number of cell towers in a region and the amount of transport emissions, which both correlate with population.

Keywords

  • Correlation - Correlation describes the extent to which the relationship is close to a linear relationship.

Many of the scatter graphs in the slide deck contain links to an interactive version in Desmos. These could be used by the teacher to pupils to explore these datasets in more detail.
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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6 Questions

Q1.
A scatter graph is a visual representation for bivariate data. It can be useful when determining the nature of the relationship between the two .
Correct Answer: variables, Variables
Q2.
What is a variable that is predicted to be affected by another variable called?
independent variable
Correct answer: dependent variable
explanatory variable
Correct answer: response variable
Q3.
Match each type of variable to the axis it should be plotted on.
Correct Answer:Explanatory variable,horizontal axis

horizontal axis

Correct Answer:Response variable,vertical axis

vertical axis

Q4.
The table contains data taken from the Met Office about weather in Stornoway. Sofia plots a scatter graph with sunshine as the dependent variable. What coordinates should she plot for June?
An image in a quiz
(38, 38)
(219, 219)
(219, 0)
(38, 219)
Correct answer: (219, 38)
Q5.
The graph shows travel data from the ONS about the commuting distance and the total number of bus journeys in 2023 for different regions of the UK. Which point shows the highest commuting distance?
An image in a quiz
Point A
Point B
Correct answer: Point C
Point D
Point E
Q6.
The scatter graph shows data taken from the ONS about house prices and annual income. Each point represents a region in England in 2023. Select the correct statements.
An image in a quiz
Regions in the South have a lower median house price.
Correct answer: Point D represents the highest median income in the North.
Correct answer: Point A represents the lowest median income in the South.
As median income increases, house prices tend to decrease
Correct answer: Point B represents the highest median house price in the South.

6 Questions

Q1.
describes the extent to which a relationship between two variables is close to a linear relationship.
Correct Answer: Correlation, correlation
Q2.
Select the scatter graphs which show an association between the two variables.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
Which of these scatter graphs show a positive correlation?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
This scatter graph shows the number of hours revision and the marks scored in a maths test by a group of year 10 Oak students. The scatter graph shows correlation.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: positive, Positive
Q5.
Laura says, ‘A negative correlation does not always mean that one variable is causing the decrease in the other variable.” Is Laura correct?
No, one variable is affecting the other.
No, correlation means one variable causes the other to decrease.
Yes, one variable cause the other variable to increase.
Correct answer: Yes, the change in both variables might be caused by a third variable.
Q6.
This scatter graph shows data taken from the ONS about regions in the UK. Select the correct statement.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: As median income increases, median house prices also increase.
As median house prices increase, median income also increases.
As median income decreases, median house prices increase.
As median house prices decrease, median income increases.
There is no correlation between median house prices and median income.