Scatter graphs
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  What are scatter graphs?  
  Scatter graphs have data plotted as a series of dots or crosses (x).  
  They are drawn to see if information about two different things is linked.  
  You should not join up the points on a scatter graph but you could add a line of best fit.  
     
   
  What data is plotted here?  
  If the data is linked it is called a correlation. The better the correlation the nearer the graph will be to a straight line.  

  Correlations can be positive, negative or no correlation (random).  
     
 
Distance from source (M) 200 1100 1800 2500 3200 4000 4500 5000
Average speed (M/s) 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.4
 

     
  Sometimes there are anomaly points that do not follow the trend line. Can you spot them?  
     
  OK Let's Try ...  
  Use a pencil and ruler.  
  Make sure you remember all 7 instructions on the scatter graph above. We are going to plot Infant Mortality Rate against GNP (wealth) for 10 countries.  
 
Country Infant Mortality Rate Life Expectancy (years)
Algeria 27 72
Uganda 76 48
Belize 18 73
Brazil 24 72
Indonesia 34 70
Bangladesh 52 63
UK 5 79
Belgium 4 80
Australia 5 76
Japan 3 79
 
  Source: www.prb.org 2008 World Population Data Sheet  
     
  Attach the finished graph to your book.  
  Write a paragraph describing what your graph shows...  
  What sort of correlation is shown?  
  Describe any anomalies?  
  How strong is the correlation?  
     
  Scatter