7. Scatter Plots and Trend Lines
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Can you draw a trend line? If so, which direction does it point as you move from left to right on the graph?
Type of Correlation: Negative
Scatter Plot:
When analyzing data using a scatter plot, there are three general outcomes for the correlation of the data. It can have a positive correlation, a negative correlation, or no correlation.
| Observation | Type of Correlation |
|---|---|
| As x increases, y increases. | Positive |
| As x increases, y decreases. | Negative |
| There is no visible pattern. | No |
By treating the table as a set of points, we can graph the given data as a scatter plot and notice if there are any trends.
It looks like there is some kind of correlation. Let's draw a line of fit, or trend line, to help us identify the type of correlation that we are seeing. To do so, we will draw a line that appears to fit the data closely and passes through or near as many points as possible.
As latitude increases, temperature decreases. This indicates a negative correlation between temperature and latitude.