Question 36·Hard·Two-Variable Data: Models and Scatterplots
A set of paired data is represented by a scatterplot, where is distance in meters and is time in seconds. The line of best fit for the data is
For the same data, let be the distance in centimeters and let be the time in minutes, so that and .
Which choice gives the equation of the line of best fit relating to ?
When a line of best fit is rewritten in different units, avoid trying to “adjust” the numbers mentally. Instead, rewrite the unit conversions as equations (here, and ), substitute them into the original model, and then solve for the new dependent variable. This guarantees both the slope and intercept are converted correctly.
Hints
Convert each variable
Use to write in terms of , and use to write in terms of .
Substitute into the original equation
Replace and in using your conversion equations so the result involves only and .
Watch what happens to the slope
Since centimeters are 100 times smaller than meters, and minutes are 60 times larger than seconds, the new slope should be much smaller than .
Desmos Guide
Define the converted model in Desmos
Enter the expression
This directly applies and then converts seconds to minutes by dividing by 60.
Compare to the answer choices using two test values
Create a table with a few values (for example, and ) and compute the corresponding from the expression.
Match slope and intercept
From the table, note the value of when (the intercept) and how much changes when increases by (this reveals the slope). Choose the option whose intercept and slope match these observations.
Step-by-step Explanation
Rewrite the variables in terms of and
From , we have .
From , we have .
Substitute into the line of best fit
Substitute and into :
Solve for
Simplify and divide by :
Convert to fractions:
State the transformed model
Therefore, the line of best fit relating to is .