1-4 CurveFitting

1-4 Curve Fittingwith

withLinear
LinearModels
Models

Warm Up
Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

HoltMcDougal
Holt Algebra 2Algebra 2
1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Warm Up
Write the equation of the line passing through
each pair of passing points in slope-intercept
form.

1. (5, –1), (0, –3) 2. (8, 5), (–8, 7)

Use the equation y = –0.2x + 4. Find x for each

given value of y.

3. y = 7 4. y = 3.5
x = –15 x = 2.5

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models

Objectives
Fit scatter plot data using linear models
with and without technology.

Use linear models to make predictions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models

Vocabulary
regression
correlation
line of best fit
correlation coefficient

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models

Researchers, such as
anthropologists, are
often interested in how
two measurements are
related. The statistical
study of the relationship
between variables is
called regression.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models

A scatter plot is helpful in understanding the

form, direction, and strength of the relationship
between two variables. Correlation is the
strength and direction of the linear relationship
between the two variables.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models

If there is a strong linear relationship between two

variables, a line of best fit, or a line that best fits
the data, can be used to make predictions.

Helpful Hint
Try to have about the same number of points
above and below the line of best fit.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 1: Meteorology Application

Albany and Sydney are

about the same distance
from the equator. Make
a scatter plot with
Albany’s temperature as
the independent
variable. Name the type
of correlation. Then
sketch a line of best fit
and find its equation.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 1 Continued

Step 1 Plot the data points.

Step 2 Identify the correlation.

o
Notice that the data set is
negatively correlated–as the ••• •
temperature rises in Albany,
• •
•• ••
it falls in Sydney. •

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 1 Continued

Step 3 Sketch a line of best fit.

Draw a line that splits

o
the data evenly above
••• •
and below. • •
•• ••
•

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 1 Continued
Step 4 Identify two points on the line.
For this data, you might select (35, 64) and
(85, 41).
Step 5 Find the slope of the line that models the
data.

Use the point-slope form.

y – y1= m(x – x1) Point-slope form.

y – 64 = –0.46(x – 35) Substitute.

y = –0.46x + 80.1 Simplify.

An equation that models the data is y = –0.46x + 80.1.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 1

Make a scatter plot for this set of data.

Identify the correlation, sketch a line of best
fit, and find its equation.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 1 Continued

Step 1 Plot the data points.

Step 2 Identify the correlation.

Notice that the data set is

positively correlated–as time
increases, more points are •
scored

••
•• • •
•
• •
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 1 Continued

Step 3 Sketch a line of best fit.

Draw a line that splits

the data evenly above
and below.
•

••
•• • •
•
• •
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 1 Continued
Step 4 Identify two points on the line.
For this data, you might select (20, 10) and (40, 25).

Step 5 Find the slope of the line that models the data.

Use the point-slope form.

y – y1= m(x – x1) Point-slope form.

y – 10 = 0.75(x – 20) Substitute.

y = 0.75x – 5 Simplify.

A possible answer is p = 0.75x + 5.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
The correlation coefficient r is a measure of how
well the data set is fit by a model.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models

You can use a graphing calculator to perform a

linear regression and find the correlation
coefficient r.

To display the correlation

coefficient r, you may have
to turn on the diagnostic
mode. To do this, press
and choose the

DiagnosticOn mode.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 2: Anthropology Application

Anthropologists can
use the femur, or
thighbone, to estimate
the height of a human
being. The table shows
the results of a
randomly selected
sample.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 2 Continued

a. Make a scatter
plot of the data •
with femur
length as the •• •
independent
variable. •• •
The scatter plot is •
shown at right.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 2 Continued
b. Find the correlation coefficient r and the
line of best fit. Interpret the slope of the
line of best fit in the context of the problem.
Enter the data into lists L1
and L2 on a graphing
calculator. Use the linear
regression feature by
pressing STAT, choosing
CALC, and selecting
4:LinReg. The equation of
the line of best fit is
h ≈ 2.91l + 54.04.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 2 Continued

The slope is about 2.91, so for each 1 cm increase

in femur length, the predicted increase in a
human being’s height is 2.91 cm.

The correlation coefficient is r ≈ 0.986 which

indicates a strong positive correlation.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 2 Continued

c. A man’s femur is 41 cm long. Predict the

man’s height.
The equation of the line of best fit is
h ≈ 2.91l + 54.04. Use the equation to predict the
man’s height.
For a 41-cm-long femur,
h ≈ 2.91(41) + 54.04 Substitute 41 for l.

h ≈ 173.35
The height of a man with a 41-cm-long femur
would be about 173 cm.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 2

The gas mileage for randomly selected cars

based upon engine horsepower is given in the
table.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 2 Continued

a. Make a scatter
plot of the data
with horsepower
as the independent ••
variable. ••
• ••
The scatter plot is •
shown on the right. • •

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 2 Continued

b. Find the correlation coefficient r and the line of

best fit. Interpret the slope of the line of best
fit in the context of the problem.
Enter the data into lists L1
and L2 on a graphing
calculator. Use the linear
regression feature by
pressing STAT, choosing
CALC, and selecting
4:LinReg. The equation of
the line of best fit is
y ≈ –0.15x + 47.5.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 2 Continued

The slope is about –0.15, so for each 1 unit

increase in horsepower, gas mileage drops ≈
0.15 mi/gal.

The correlation coefficient is r ≈ –0.916, which

indicates a strong negative correlation.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 2 Continued

c. Predict the gas mileage for a 210-horsepower

engine.
The equation of the line of best fit is
y ≈ –0.15x + 47.5. Use the equation to predict
the gas mileage. For a 210-horsepower engine,

y ≈ –0.15(210) + 47.50. Substitute 210 for x.

y ≈ 16
The mileage for a 210-horsepower engine would be
about 16.0 mi/gal.
Holt McDougal Algebra 2
1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 3: Meteorology Application

Find the following for

this data on average
temperature and
rainfall for eight
months in Boston, MA.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 3 Continued

a. Make a scatter plot of the data with

temperature as the independent variable.
The scatter plot is
shown on the right.
•
• •
• •
•
•
•
o

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 3 Continued

b. Find the correlation coefficient and the

equation of the line of best fit. Draw the line of
best fit on your scatter plot.

The correlation
coefficient is •
r = –0.703. • •
• •
The equation of the •
line of best fit is •
y ≈ –0.35x + 106.4. •
o

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Example 3 Continued

c. Predict the temperature when the rainfall

is 86 mm. How accurate do you think
your prediction is?

86 ≈ –0.35x + 106.4 Rainfall is the dependent variable.

–20.4 ≈ –0.35x
58.3 ≈ x
The line predicts 58.3F, but the scatter plot and the
value of r show that temperature by itself is not an
accurate predictor of rainfall.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models

Reading Math
A line of best fit may also be referred to as a
trend line.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 3

Find the following information for this data set

on the number of grams of fat and the number
of calories in sandwiches served at Dave’s Deli.

Use the equation of the line of best fit to predict

the number of grams of fat in a sandwich with
420 Calories. How close is your answer to the
value given in the table?

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 3

a. Make a scatter plot of the data with fat

as the independent variable.
The scatter plot is
shown on the right.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 3

b. Find the correlation coefficient and the

equation of the line of best fit. Draw the
line of best fit on your scatter plot.

The correlation coefficient is

r = 0.682. The equation of
the line of best fit is
y ≈ 11.1x + 309.8.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Check It Out! Example 3

c. Predict the amount of fat in a sandwich

with 420 Calories. How accurate do you
think your prediction is?

420 ≈ 11.1x + 309.8 Calories is the dependent variable.

110.2 ≈ 11.1x
9.9 ≈ x

The line predicts 10 grams of fat. This is not close

to the 15 g in the table.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Lesson Quiz: Part I
Use the table for Problems 1–3.
1. Make a scatter
plot with mass
as the independent
variable.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Lesson Quiz: Part II

2. Find the correlation coefficient and the

equation of the line of best fit on your scatter
plot. Draw the line of best fit on your scatter
plot.
r ≈ 0.67 ;
y = 0.07x – 5.24

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

1-4 Curve Fitting with Linear Models
Lesson Quiz: Part III

3. Predict the weight of a $40 tire. How

accurate do you think your prediction is?
≈646 g; the scatter plot and value of r show that
price is not a good predictor of weight.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2