Question
How do you identify the relationship between two variables in a scatter plot?
Ask by Byrd Burton. in South Africa
Jan 22,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
To identify the relationship between two variables in a scatter plot, look at the overall trend of the points:
- Positive Relationship: Points rise from left to right, indicating both variables increase together.
- Negative Relationship: Points fall from left to right, showing one variable increases while the other decreases.
- No Relationship: Points are randomly scattered with no clear trend.
Assess how closely the points follow a line to determine the strength of the relationship (strong or weak). Also, look for any outliers that might affect the pattern.
Solution

Sign in to Unlock Answers for Free!
A Learning Platform Trusted by Millions of Real Students and Teachers.

Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor
Like
The Deep Dive
To identify the relationship between two variables in a scatter plot, look at the overall pattern of the points. If the points trend upwards from left to right, you have a positive relationship; if they trend downwards, it’s negative. A tight grouping of points indicates a strong relationship, while a more dispersed pattern suggests a weak connection. Additionally, if the points form a curve, you might have a non-linear relationship.
Another fun way to assess the relationship is to imagine you’re a detective with a magnifying glass! Zoom in on the clusters: are they bunched up or scattered? Look for any outliers—those are like the quirky characters in a mystery that can change the whole story! And don’t forget, correlation doesn’t equal causation; just because two variables dance together doesn’t mean one is leading the other!