GCSE Mathematics

Tutor: Mr J. Philpott

Topic: Scatter Diagrams

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GCSE Mathematics
 This topic is common to all GCSE Maths
Syllabuses

 Scatter Diagrams
 Also called Scattergrams and Scattergraphs

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 All Graphs and Charts to-date
concerned with one variable.
 Many surveys concerned with 2
variables e.g.
 Height and Weight
 Age and Reaction time

 Interested in a link between the two

variables
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GCSE Mathematics
 For example, if we consider the data…
 Height (cm) Mass (kg)
166 65
169 73
172 67
161 62
177 75
171 72
168 66
165 67
170 70
176 75

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 This data is concerned with 2
variables; Height and Weight.
 One test for relationship is a Scatter
Diagram
 Each data set is recorded on axes;
one horizontal axis, one vertical axis

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 The data are plotted as individual
points

 For example; the height 166 cm and

the Mass 65 kg appear on the chart
as one point
 Now! Is there a pattern among the
points that you can see?

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The resultant chart…

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 Now, draw a ‘Line of Best-Fit’ within the points

 When drawing a LoBF use your eye and a ruler;

same number of points either side of line
(balance); some points on the line

 Do not take line beyond recorded data

 Question: Could this Scatter Diagram be
constructed in a way to make the information
clearer? (Hint: Look at the vertical axis…)

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 The chart with a LoBF…

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 You need to describe the relationship
between the two data sets using one
of the terms below;
 In effect, these terms describe the
way the points tend to move…
 Positive Correlation
 Negative Correlation
 No Correlation

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 Correlation is concerned with whether or not there is
an association between the variables

 Positive Correlation means that as one variable

increases, so does the second;
the points move up Left to Right across your page in a
Linear fashion (as in our case!)
 Negative Correlation means that as one gets bigger the
other gets smaller;
the points move down Left to Right across your page in a
Linear fashion
 No Correlation means there is no upwards or downwards
trend as you move left to right across the graph

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 Important to know that Correlation between 2
sets of data does not imply that changes in one
cause change in other
 Instead, it concerns a relationship (or
association) for the particular sets of data
 Be aware of Reliability; may need many more
observations to improve data and statistical
analysis
 Note: LoBF can be used to estimate values
outside of recorded data

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 The Line of Best Fit can also help you to find
specific values for one variable when given a
value for the second variable

 So for example, as I have shown with the

‘lines’ on the next diagram, a Height of 167 cm
has a Weight of 67 kg

 This work is done within the recorded data only

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