Question

A scatter plot shows:

		the direction and strength of a relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
		nothing. The line of best fit is what is important.
		that there is a linear relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
		how you can predict the dependent variable knowing the independent variable.

Answer 1

A scatterplot is a diagrammatic representation of the dependent and independent variables; all the points are plotted against the horizontal and vertical axes.

The scatterplot, therefore shows whether the points are closely clustered, or not; thus a scatterplot shows the strength of relation between the two variables, if there is a relationship.

The scatterplot also helps us see how the change in one variable impacts the other. So, the direction of relationship is also evident from the scatterplot.

So, the correct answer is option (A) The direction and strength of a relationship between the independent and dependent variables.