MDM4U Scatter Plots and Linear Correlations

Ms. Kueh

Scatter plot: a graph drawn to show the relationship between two variables.

Linear correlation: variables are said to have a linear correlation when the changes in one
variable are proportional to changes in the other variable.

Linear regression: the technique for finding the equation with the form y=ax+ b that best
figures the relationship between the x (independent) and y variables
(dependent).

Correlation Coefficient, r: the measure of correlation between two variables, it determines

how well a regression line fits a set of data.
Dependent variable: also known as the response variable ( y-axis).

Independent variable: is also known as the explanatory variable (x-axis).

Classifying Linear Correlations:

Positive or Direct Correlations

Strong Linear Moderate Linear Weak Linear

Negative or Inverse Correlations

Strong Linear Moderate Linear Weak Linear

Zero/No Linear
Correlation Coefficient, r:
Correlation
 A value between −1 and 1
 A negative value represents negative correlation
 A positive value represents positive correlation
 0 represents no correlation
 −1/+1 represent perfect negative/positive linear correlation

r =n ( ∑ xy ) −¿ ¿

Example 1 A farmer wants to determine whether there is a relationship between the mean
temperature during the growing season and the size of his wheat crop. He assembles the
following data for the last six crops.
 Mean Temperature (℃) Yield (tonnes/hectare)
4 1.6
8 2.4
10 2.0
9 2.6
11 2.1
6 2.2

a) Draw a scatter plot of the data and indicate if there is any linear correlation between the
2 variables.

b) Compute the correlation coefficient. What can the farmer conclude about the
relationship between the mean temperatures during the growing season and the wheat
yields on his farm?

Temperature, x Yield, y x2 y2 xy
4 1.6
8 2.4
10 2.0
9 2.6
11 2.1
6 2.2
Homework: pg. 168 #1ace, 2ace, 3, 5, 6, 10