Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Constructing scatter graphs

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can construct scatter graphs from data presented in a number of different ways.

      Key learning points

      1. Data presented as a paired list can be represented as a scatter graph.
      2. Data presented in a table can be represented as a scatter graph.
      3. The independent variable is placed on the horizontal axis.

      Keywords

      • Scatter graph - A visual representation for bivariate data. It can be useful when determining the nature of the relationship between the two variables.

      • Independent/Explanatory - An independent (explanatory) variable is a measure that is predicted to have an effect on another variable

      • Dependent/Response - A dependent (response) variable is a measure whose value is predicted to be affected by an explanatory variable

      • Bivariate data - Bivariate data has two variables, where each data point for one variable has a corresponding data point for the other variable.

      Common misconception

      Task B Q2 - Pupils may choose to go up in 100s on the vertical axis.

      Highlight that all of their data points will be in the bottom half of the graph and suggest going up in 50s.

      Teacher tip

      Explain that scatter graphs could be plotted using either points or crosses. Ones made on computers tend to use points. When plotting by hand, pupils may find it easier to plot crosses so they can be seen easily.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which line is horizontal?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      Correct answer: B
      C

      Q2.
      Which point on the graph has the coordinates (8, 2)?

      An image in a quiz
      A
      B
      C
      Correct answer: D

      Q3.
      What are the coordinates of the point marked on this graph?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: (5, 3), (5,3), (5 , 3), (5 ,3)

      Q4.
      What is the value of $$a$$ on the horizontal axis?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 100, one hundred, a hundred

      Q5.
      What is the value of $$a$$ on the vertical axis?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 50, fifty

      Q6.
      are a set of information which shows counts or measurements.

      Correct Answer: data

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Data which has two variables that are paired together is called data.

      Correct Answer: bivariate, Bivariate, BIVARIATE

      Q2.
      Which is another term to describe the explanatory variable in bivariate data?

      dependent variable
      Correct answer: independent variable
      response variable

      Q3.
      Which two terms describe a measure in bivariate data whose value is predicted to be affected by the other measure?

      Correct answer: dependent variable
      explanatory variable
      independent variable
      Correct answer: response variable

      Q4.
      Which variable should be represented on vertical axis of a scatter graph?

      Correct answer: dependent variable
      independent variable

      Q5.
      A set of bivariate data measures children's ages and shoe sizes. Which variable is most likely to be the dependent variable?

      age
      Correct answer: shoe size

      Q6.
      Look at the second column in the table. Which scatter graph has chosen the most appropriate scale to plot this data?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      To help you plan your 8 maths lesson on: Constructing scatter graphs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...