Scatter Graphs

Scatter graphs (or scatter diagrams) provide a clear visual representation of two variables
and enable us to see if there is a link (correlation) between them.

Positive Correlation Negative Correlation No Correlation

Always make sure you draw a line of best fit on your diagram. This is your “working out” and
will award you 1 mark in any interpretation question. Remember, the line of best fit doesn’t
need to go through the origin (0, 0).

Example
The scatter graph below represents the hand widths of ten students versus the lengths of
their hands. Note that neither of the axes start at 0, as this is not needed to represent the
data in the question. This break is represented by a small squiggly line.

22
Hand length (cm)

x y

8.1 18.9 21

8.3 19
20
7.6 17.4

8.6 20.4 19

8.6 17.1
18
7.7 17.6

8 18.1 17

8.4 19.7
16
7.2 16.6

8.5 19.5
7 8 9 10
Hand width (cm)

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 Scatter Graphs
a. Plot the data points.
Here, the last data point is shown being plotted (8.5, 19.5). Plot them in the same way
as coordinates – move horizontally along the x-axis and then vertically up the y-axis.

22

Hand length (cm)

x y

8.1 18.9 21

8.3 19
20
7.6 17.4

8.6 20.4 19

8.6 17.1
18
7.7 17.6

8 18.1 17

8.4 19.7
16
7.2 16.6

8.5 19.5
7 8 9 10
Hand width (cm)
b. Draw a line of best fit.
The line of best fit should be a straight line that follows the general trend of the data.
To draw this ‘by eye’, aim to have the same amount of data points on each side of the
line and, if possible, make the line of best fit pass through some of the points.

22
Hand length (cm)

x y

8.1 18.9 21

8.3 19
20
7.6 17.4

8.6 20.4 19

8.6 17.1
18
7.7 17.6

8 18.1 17

8.4 19.7
16
7.2 16.6

8.5 19.5
7 8 9 10
Hand width (cm)

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 Scatter Graphs

c. Describe the correlation illustrated by this scatter diagram.

As the data points are going ‘uphill’, it is positive correlation.

d. An additional student only measured the length of their hand as 18.5cm. Predict what
their hand width might be.

Locate 18.5cm on the y-axis (hand length) and draw a horizontal line until touches
the line of best fit. Draw a vertical line from this point until it touches the x-axis (hand
width) and read off the result. In this example, it is 8cm.
Note that if you have not already been asked to draw a line of best fit, this is the time to
draw one.

22
Hand length (cm)

x y

8.1 18.9 21

8.3 19
20
7.6 17.4

8.6 20.4 19

8.6 17.1
18
7.7 17.6

8 18.1 17

8.4 19.7
16
7.2 16.6

8.5 19.5
7 8 9 10
Hand width (cm)

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 Scatter Graphs

e. One student’s data is an outlier. Identify this student on the diagram and explain why
they are an outlier.

22

Hand length (cm)

x y

8.1 18.9 21

8.3 19
20
7.6 17.4

8.6 20.4 19

8.6 17.1
18
7.7 17.6

8 18.1 17

8.4 19.7
16
7.2 16.6

8.5 19.5
7 8 9 10
Hand width (cm)

This student is an outlier because they do not follow the general trend of the other
data points. They have a relatively large hand width compared to a relatively short hand
length.
If they followed the general trend, you would expect their hand length to be about
20cm.

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 Scatter Graphs
Your Turn
The scatter graph shows the square foot measurements and prices of 10 houses.

600

500
Price (£1000)

400

300

200

700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300

Square foot

a. The table shows the price and square foot measurements of three more houses.
Add these data points to the scatter graph.

Square foot 1900 1300 700

Price (£1000) 420 400 300

b. Describe the correlation illustrated by this scatter graph.

c. Draw a line of best fit on the scatter graph.

d. Hence, estimate the price of a house measuring 1000 square feet.

e. Explain why you cannot use this graph to estimate the price of a house measuring
4000 square feet.

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