← VCE Data Analytics U4O1

Scatter plots

A chart with one dot per record, using two numeric fields as x and y. The cloud of dots shows if the variables are related, and a dot far from the rest is an outlier.

Part of: VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 35, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 5

Understanding Scatter plots in VCE Data Analytics U4O1

What it does: An upward sloping cloud means the two variables are related, with y increasing as x increases. Age and height are both numbers, so each person can be plotted as one dot using them as x and y. A scatter plot places one dot per record. With 30 students there are 30 dots. A scatter plot needs two numeric fields to use as x and y. Favourite topping is a category, so it is not suitable. Both axes should be numeric fields. A name is text, so it cannot be placed on a number axis. A cloud rising to the right shows a positive relationship between the two variables.

Common mistakes: A scatter plot needs a numeric field on the x axis. Student name is text, so it should be a number such as x = Hours studied. The y field must also be numeric. Car colour is text, so the line should be y = Price ($).

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 3–37) and word search (Modules 3–62).

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Learning
Duo
A scatter plot shows hours of sleep (x) and test score (y) for 30 students. How many dots does it show?
30 dots, one for each student1 dot showing the average of all students
Matches
Scatter plot with x = Favourite colour, y = Score
↓
Favourite colour is text, not a number. A scatter plot needs two numeric fields, so use a numeric field such as Hours of practice as x.
Applying
Meanings
Term
scatter plot
Meaning
A chart with one dot per record, using two numeric fields as x and y. The cloud of dots shows if the variables are related, and a dot far from the rest is an outlier.
Practice
Chart type: Scatter plot
Testing
Gaps
Chart type: plot (one dot per record)
Check Answer
Spots
1Chart: scatter plot
2x = Student name

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Quick Questions

1. A scatter plot shows hours of sleep (x) and test score (y) for 30 students. How many dots does it show?
A. 30 dots, one for each student ✓
B. 1 dot showing the average of all students
A scatter plot places one dot per record. With 30 students there are 30 dots.
2. Which data suits a scatter plot?
A. Height and shoe size of each student in a class ✓
B. Favourite pizza topping of each student in a class
A scatter plot needs two numeric fields to use as x and y. Favourite topping is a category, so it is not suitable.
3. You want to see if more study time goes with higher marks. Which choice of fields is better?
A. x = study hours, y = marks ✓
B. x = student name, y = marks
Both axes should be numeric fields. A name is text, so it cannot be placed on a number axis.
4. The dots form a cloud that climbs from the bottom left to the top right. What does this suggest?
A. As x goes up, y tends to go down
B. As x goes up, y tends to go up too ✓
A cloud rising to the right shows a positive relationship between the two variables.
5. The dots are spread all over the chart with no clear shape. What does this suggest?
A. There is a very strong relationship between x and y
B. There is little or no relationship between x and y ✓
A shapeless scatter of dots means the two variables do not seem to be related.

Match the Pairs

x = Hours of sleep, y = Test score → Each student is one dot, placed by their sleep hours across and their test score up
A dot far away from the cloud → An outlier: a record that does not fit the pattern of the other dots
A cloud of dots sloping upward from bottom left to top right shows that as x goes up, y tends to go up → Study time vs marks: dots rise to the right
A scatter plot needs two numeric fields, one for the x axis and one for the y axis → x = Age (years), y = Height (cm)
Scatter plot with x = Favourite colour, y = Score → Favourite colour is text, not a number. A scatter plot needs two numeric fields, so use a numeric field such as Hours of practice as x.
One dot sits far from the rest, so delete it and ignore it → A far-away dot is an outlier. Check whether it is a data error or a real unusual result before removing it.

Key Term

scatter plot
A chart with one dot per record, using two numeric fields as x and y. The cloud of dots shows if the variables are related, and a dot far from the rest is an outlier.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Chart type: scatter plot (one dot per record)
Hint: Type the chart type that draws one dot for each record using two numeric fields.
2. x: Hours of study y: Test score
Hint: Type the letter for the vertical axis, which usually shows the result you want to explain.
3. Both x and y must be numeric fields
Hint: Type the kind of field a scatter plot needs on both axes.
4. A dot far from the cloud is an outlier
Hint: Type the word for a dot that sits far away from the rest of the points.
5. Dots rise left to right: positive link
Hint: Type the word that describes a cloud of dots sloping upward, where both variables increase together.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Chart: scatter plot
B x = Student name
C y = Test score
D Each row makes one dot
Line B — A scatter plot needs a numeric field on the x axis. Student name is text, so it should be a number such as x = Hours studied.
Question 2
A Chart: scatter plot
B x = Age of car (years)
C y = Car colour
D Each row makes one dot
Line C — The y field must also be numeric. Car colour is text, so the line should be y = Price ($).
Question 3
A Dots slope up to the right
B This shows a negative link
C More study, higher scores
Line B — Dots that slope up to the right show a positive link: as x rises, y rises. It should say positive, not negative.
Question 4
A Dots slope up to the right
B This shows a negative link
C As x rises, y falls
Line A — A negative link, where y falls as x rises, shows as dots sloping down to the right. Sloping up would be a positive link.
Question 5
A Most dots form a tight cloud
B One dot is far from the rest
C That dot is an outlier
D Delete it without checking
Line D — An outlier should be checked first. It might be a typing mistake or a real unusual value. It should not be deleted without checking.

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