← VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

Scatter graphs

A chart that plots each record as a point using two number columns, one on the x axis and one on the y axis, to show whether two things are related.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 63, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 90, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 70, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 22, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 41, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 32

Understanding Scatter graphs in VCE Spreadsheets, SQL & Visualisation

What it does: When points rise from bottom left to top right, the two things have a positive relationship. A scatter graph needs two number columns, like hours of sleep and test score, so each student becomes one point. When one value goes up and the other goes down, the relationship is negative. Points scattered with no pattern mean the two things are not clearly related. The x axis runs across the bottom (horizontal). The y axis runs up the side (vertical). A scatter graph shows whether two things are related. It does not prove that one causes the other.

Common mistakes: A scatter graph is needed to show if two number columns are related. A pie chart cannot do this. It should say: Choose Scatter chart. When the points go up as x goes up, the relationship is positive, not negative. It should say: Points rise = positive.

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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 55–70) and word search (Modules 55–86).

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Learning

Duo

Which data is best shown on a scatter graph?

Hours of sleep and test score for 30 studentsFavourite pizza topping for 30 students

Matches

Select one column of names and one of scores, then Insert > Scatter chart

↓

A scatter graph needs two number columns. Names are text, so they cannot be plotted on an axis.

Applying

Meanings

Term

scatter graph

Meaning

A chart that plots each record as a point using two number columns, one on the x axis and one on the y axis, to show whether two things are related.

Practice

Select the two columns A1:B11

Testing

Gaps

Insert > chart

Check Answer

Spots

3Go to the Insert menu

4Choose Pie chart

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Quick Questions

1. Which data is best shown on a scatter graph?

A. Favourite pizza topping for 30 students

B. Hours of sleep and test score for 30 students ✓

A scatter graph needs two number columns, like hours of sleep and test score, so each student becomes one point.

2. In a scatter graph, what does each point stand for?

A. One record, such as one student ✓

B. One whole column of data

Each point is one record plotted using its two number values.

3. A scatter graph shows points rising from bottom left to top right. What kind of relationship is this?

A. Negative relationship

B. Positive relationship ✓

When one value goes up and the other goes up too, the relationship is positive.

4. The more hours a student spends on their phone, the fewer hours they sleep. The points slope down from left to right. What relationship is this?

A. Negative relationship ✓

B. Positive relationship

When one value goes up and the other goes down, the relationship is negative.

5. The points on a scatter graph are spread all over with no clear direction. What does this show?

A. No relationship ✓

B. A strong positive relationship

Points scattered with no pattern mean the two things are not clearly related.

Match the Pairs

Insert > Scatter chart → The menu steps that turn two selected number columns into a scatter graph

x axis = Hours of study, y axis = Test score → Each point is placed across by hours studied and up by test score

Positive relationship: as one value goes up, the other value goes up too → Points slope upwards: more hours of sleep, higher test score

Negative relationship: as one value goes up, the other goes down → Points slope downwards: more hours of screen time, lower fitness score

Select one column of names and one of scores, then Insert > Scatter chart → A scatter graph needs two number columns. Names are text, so they cannot be plotted on an axis.

The points are scattered all over the graph, so there is a strong positive relationship → Points with no pattern show no relationship, not a strong positive one.

Key Term

scatter graph

A chart that plots each record as a point using two number columns, one on the x axis and one on the y axis, to show whether two things are related.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Insert > Scatter chart

Hint: Type the name of the chart you choose from the Insert menu to plot two number columns.

2. The y axis runs up the side of the graph

Hint: Type the letter of the vertical axis.

3. Points rise to the right: positive relationship

Hint: Type the word for a relationship where both values increase together.

4. Points fall to the right: negative relationship

Hint: Type the word for a relationship where one value rises as the other falls.

5. Points scattered with no pattern: no relationship

Hint: Type the word that shows the two things are not related.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Columns: Height, Shoe size

B Select both columns

C Go to the Insert menu

D Choose Pie chart

Line D — A scatter graph is needed to show if two number columns are related. A pie chart cannot do this. It should say: Choose Scatter chart.

Question 2

A x axis: Hours studied

B y axis: Test score

C Points rise = negative

Line C — When the points go up as x goes up, the relationship is positive, not negative. It should say: Points rise = positive.

Question 3

A Select two text columns

B Insert > Scatter chart

C Each row becomes one point

Line A — A scatter graph plots numbers on both axes, so you must select two number columns, not text columns.

Question 4

A x axis: Age of phone (years)

B y axis: Phone brand

C Relationship: negative

Line B — The y axis must be a number column. A brand is text and cannot be plotted. It should say: y axis: Price ($).

Question 5

A Chart: Shoe size vs Maths mark

B Points rise in a neat line

C Relationship: none

Line B — A neat rising line would show a positive relationship. For no relationship the points are spread out randomly.

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