How to graph Scatter Plots? (+FREE Worksheet!)

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Step-by-step guide to graph Scatter Plots

A scatter plot is a diagram with points to represent the relationship between two variables.

Data scattering, data distribution, and their range can be observed based on scatter plots. Scatter plots are not for observing data details; Rather, they display a set of relationships between data. For education statistics and research, visit the National Center for Education Statistics.

On a scatter plot, you can use a trend line to make predictions. The scatter of points from the trend line shows how well the data has performed in the predicted pattern.

A scatter plot shows a positive trend if \(y\) tends to increase as \(x\) increases.

A scatter plot shows a negative trend if \(y\) tends to decrease as \(x\) increases.

An outlier is an extreme point in a data set that is separated from all other points.

Scatter Plots – Example 1:

The following table shows the number of people in a family and the amount of money they spend on movie tickets.

a) Make a scatter plot to represent the data.

b) Does this scatter plot show a positive trend, a negative trend, or no trend?

c) Find the outlier on the scatter plot.

Solution:

a) Write the ordered pairs. The number of people goes on the \(x\)-axis, so put the number of people first. The amount of money goes on the \(y\)-axis, so put the amount of money second.\((1, 15), (2, 18), (3, 20), (4, 37), (5, 23), (6, 23), (7, 27), (8, 28)\). Now, graph the ordered pairs.

b) \(y\) tends to increase as \(x\) increases. So, this scatter plot shows a positive trend.

c) \( (4, 37)\) is the outlier because this point is separated from all other points in the data set.

Scatter Plots – Example 2:

The table below shows the number of students on a basketball team and the number of free throws each student made during practice.

a) Make a scatter plot to represent the data.

b) Does this scatter plot show a positive trend, a negative trend, or no trend?

C)Find the outlier on the scatter plot.

Solution:

a) Write the ordered pairs. The number of students goes on the \(x\)-axis, so put the number of people first. The number of free throws goes on the \(y\)-axis, so put the number of free throws second.\((1, 9), (2, 9), (3, 10), (4, 11), (5, 12), (6, 1), (7, 12), (8, 14), (9, 15), (10, 17)\). Now, graph the ordered pairs.

b)\(y\) tends to increase as \(x\) increases. So, this scatter plot shows a positive trend.

C) \( (6, 1)\) is the outlier because this point is separated from all other points in the data set.

Exercises for graphing Scatter Plots

Use the given data to make a scatter plot. Does this scatter plot represent a positive trend, a negative trend, or no trend? Find the outlier on the scatter plot.

First, find the ordered pairs.\((1, 9), (3, 11), (5, 11), (7, 12), (9, 14), (11, 2), (13, 15), (15, 16), (17, 18), (19, 20), (21, 20)\). Now, graph the ordered pairs. \(y\) tends to increase as \(x\) increases. So, this scatter plot represents a positive trend. An outlier is a point that is separated from all other points. So, point \((11, 2)\) is the outlier.