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Year 10
Foundation

Problem solving with scatter graphs and time series

I can use my understanding of various scatter graphs and time series to solve problems.

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New
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Year 10
Foundation

Problem solving with scatter graphs and time series

I can use my understanding of various scatter graphs and time series to solve problems.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Errors in drawing the graph will produce incorrect conclusions
  2. Outliers may just be unusual results
  3. These types of graphs are widely used in the media and can be misinterpreted

Keywords

  • Time series graphs - Time series graphs show data over a time period. The time period is always shown on the x-axis. Data points are joined chronologically by line segments.

  • A scatter graph - A scatter graph is a visual representation for bivariate data. It can be useful when determining the nature of the relationship between the variables.

Common misconception

A plausible conclusion or claim must be true when it is presented with data.

Graphs can be misinterpreted, which can lead to invalid conclusions.


To help you plan your year 10 maths lesson on: Problem solving with scatter graphs and time series, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils could explore real claims or headlines found in the media, discuss the data they are based on and critically analyse their validity.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
is when you estimate values that are within the range of available data.
Correct Answer: Interpolation
Q2.
This time series graph shows the temperatures in Sheffield between 2012 and 2019. In how many quarters does the mean maximum temperature reach between 10°C and 20°C? quarters.
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Correct Answer: 17, seventeen
Q3.
This scatter graph shows correlation.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: positive
Q4.
The time series below shows data from the ONS about the average annual income per person each year. What is the approximate median income in the year 2014?
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£20 000
£25 000
Correct answer: £30 000
£35 000
Q5.
The time series below shows data from the ONS about the average annual income per person each year. What is the approximate smallest difference between the mean and median incomes?
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£1000
Correct answer: £3000
£5000
£10 000
Q6.
The time series graph shows data on average houses prices over a number of years in the UK. The graph shows years where average house prices were below £200 000
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Correct Answer: 11, eleven

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Lucas plots this scatter graph. He says, “Point P must be an error.” Is Lucas definitely correct?
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Yes, the point does not fit the rest of the data.
No, it is just an unusual result.
Correct answer: It depends, outliers should be investigated further.
Q2.
This scatter graph shows positive correlation. Which of these Oak pupils are correct?
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Correct answer: Aisha: Both variables might be affected by a third variable.
Jacob: one variable is definitely causing the other to increase.
Correct answer: Lucas: The variables might be completely unrelated and correlate by chance.
Correct answer: Laura: One variable might be causing the other to increase.
Q3.
is when you estimate values that are outside the range of available data.
Correct Answer: Extrapolation
Q4.
The time series graph shows data about the number of daily internet users in England. Sam says, “I can use the graph to predict there will be 90 million internet users in Wales in 2050.” Is Sam right?
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Yes, you can continue the trend for another 10 years.
Yes, there is a clear upward trend which is likely to continue.
Correct answer: No, you cannot use data for England to predict for Wales.
No, there is unlikely to be 90 million people in Wales in 2050
Q5.
A scatter graph is a visual representation for data.
Correct Answer: bivariate
Q6.
A reporter writes the following headline for the Oak Daily News. Which of these Oak pupils are correct?
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Andeep: Wow! That cannot just be coincidence.
Jun: The two variables have a negative correlation so the headline is true.
Correct answer: Lucas: Hannah's a popular name at the moment, it is unrelated to landlines.
Sam: There must be a third factor at play to link these.