New
New
Year 10
Higher
Estimating from scatter graphs
I can estimate from scatter graphs.
New
New
Year 10
Higher
Estimating from scatter graphs
I can estimate from scatter graphs.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When a linear trend can be identified, you can draw a line of best fit.
- The line of best fit should represent the trend of the data.
- The line of best fit can be used to estimate the values of a data point.
- Lines of best fit should only be used to estimate the dependent variable.
Keywords
Line of best fit - A line of best fit is a line where the distance between each data point and the line is minimised.
Common misconception
The line of best fit always start at the origin.
The line of best fit could start at the origin but it does not always start there. This could be exemplified clearly with a scatter graph that has negative correlation.
The slide deck contains a link to a scatter graph on Geogebra, which allows the user to adjust the line of best fit and observe how each adjustment affects its vertical distance to each point. This could be done as a demonstration by the teacher or individually by pupils with access to the internet.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
Download starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
Correlation describes the extent to which a relationship between two variables is close to a relationship.
Q2.
Select the scatter graph which does not show an association between the two variables.
Q3.
Which of these scatter graphs shows a negative correlation?
Q4.
This scatter graph shows the value of a car and its age. The scatter graph shows correlation.
Q5.
Lucas says, ‘A positive correlation means that one variable causes the increase in the other variable.” Is Lucas correct?
Yes, one variable is affecting the other.
Yes, correlation means one variable causes the other to increase.
No, one variable cause the other variable to decrease.
Q6.
This scatter graph shows data taken from an gas supplier about energy bills and outside daily temperatures. Select the correct statement.
As the mean gas bill increases, mean temperature decreases.
As the mean gas bill increases, mean temperature increases.
As temperature decreases, the mean gas bill decreases.
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
A line of is a line where the distance between each data point and the line is minimised.
Q2.
Andeep says the line of best fit must always go through the origin. Is Andeep correct?
No, only lines of best fit for positive correlation go through the origin.
Yes, when one variable is zero the other must be too.
Yes, it should always start in the bottom left corner of the graph.
Q3.
Which of these graphs has an appropriate line of best fit?
Q4.
The scatter graph shows data taken from the ONS, where each point represents a region in the UK. Use the line of best fit to estimate the population of a region with emissions of 1000 kt CO2.
750
780
700 000
800 000
Q5.
The scatter graph shows data taken from the ONS about regions in the UK. An estimate for the median income in a region where the median house price is £300 000 is £ to the nearest thousand.
Q6.
The scatter graph shows data taken from the ONS about regions in the UK. The population of a region is predicted to double from 200 000 to 400 000, estimate how many more cell towers the region needs.
2000
8000
10 000