Question 19·Easy·Two-Variable Data: Models and Scatterplots
The scatterplot shows the relationship between the depth below the surface (in meters) where a water sample was taken in a lake and the temperature of the sample (in degrees Celsius).
Which choice best describes the association shown by the data?
For association questions, ignore exact values and focus on direction: as increases, do the points generally rise (positive), fall (negative), or show no pattern? Then pick the statement that matches that overall trend.
Hints
Compare shallow vs. deep samples
Look at the points near the smallest depths and compare their temperatures to the points near the largest depths.
Move left to right
As you move to the right on the scatterplot, notice whether the points tend to go up, go down, or stay level.
Choose the statement that matches the pattern
Pick the option that describes the overall direction of the points rather than focusing on any single point.
Desmos Guide
Enter the data points
In Desmos, create a table and enter the plotted pairs from the scatterplot.
View the scatterplot
Make sure the points appear as a scatterplot (not connected by segments).
Decide the direction
Observe whether the points trend upward, downward, or neither as increases, then select the matching choice. Only the final selected choice is the answer.
Step-by-step Explanation
Look for the overall trend
Scan the points from left to right (from smaller depth to larger depth) and observe how the y-values (temperature) change.
Match the trend to a statement
As depth increases, the plotted temperatures generally get smaller, showing a negative association. Therefore, the best description is As depth increases, temperature tends to decrease.