Key Concepts

• The x-axis of a scatterplot shows values of the independent variable.
• The y-axis of a scatterplot shows values of the dependent variable.
• If high values of x are associated with high values of y, there is a positive relationship.
• If high values of x are associated with low values of y, there is a negative relationship.
• The strength of a relationship can be seen based on how close the points are to a line or a curve.
• Departures from the general pattern can also be seen in a scatterplot.

Glossary

Scatterplot: a graph that plots points. Each point represents an ordered pair, where the x-value is a value of the independent variable and the y-value is a value of the dependent variable.