In this Grade 7 lesson from Big Ideas Math Advanced 2, students learn how to construct and interpret scatter plots by graphing two data sets as ordered pairs in a coordinate plane. They explore concepts such as positive and negative relationships, linear and nonlinear patterns, and how to use scatter plot data to make predictions. The lesson uses real-world examples — including sports ball weights and circumferences, and student absences versus final grades — to help students identify trends and describe the relationship between two variables.
Section 1
Procedure: Plotting Points on a Scatter Plot
A scatter plot is constructed by converting two-variable data into ordered pairs where represents the first variable and represents the second variable, then plotting these points on a coordinate plane with appropriate scales.
Section 2
Choosing Appropriate Scales for Scatter Plot Axes
When creating a scatter plot, choose scales that:
(1) include all data values with some space beyond the minimum and maximum,
(2) use convenient intervals that make the graph easy to read, and
(3) result in a plot that uses most of the available space without being cramped or too spread out.
Section 3
Scatter Plots and Outliers
A scatter plot is a graph that displays data points to show the relationship between two variables. Data points that lie far from the general pattern or trend of the other points are called outliers.
Section 4
Interpreting Relationships in Scatter Plots
Four types of relationships can be identified in scatter plots:
Positive Linear - points form a pattern where as increases, increases along an approximate straight line;
Negative Linear - points form a pattern where as increases, decreases along an approximate straight line;
Nonlinear - points form a curved pattern (parabolic, exponential, etc.);
No Relationship - points show no discernible pattern or trend.
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Section 1
Procedure: Plotting Points on a Scatter Plot
A scatter plot is constructed by converting two-variable data into ordered pairs where represents the first variable and represents the second variable, then plotting these points on a coordinate plane with appropriate scales.
Section 2
Choosing Appropriate Scales for Scatter Plot Axes
When creating a scatter plot, choose scales that:
(1) include all data values with some space beyond the minimum and maximum,
(2) use convenient intervals that make the graph easy to read, and
(3) result in a plot that uses most of the available space without being cramped or too spread out.
Section 3
Scatter Plots and Outliers
A scatter plot is a graph that displays data points to show the relationship between two variables. Data points that lie far from the general pattern or trend of the other points are called outliers.
Section 4
Interpreting Relationships in Scatter Plots
Four types of relationships can be identified in scatter plots:
Positive Linear - points form a pattern where as increases, increases along an approximate straight line;
Negative Linear - points form a pattern where as increases, decreases along an approximate straight line;
Nonlinear - points form a curved pattern (parabolic, exponential, etc.);
No Relationship - points show no discernible pattern or trend.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter