Back to Construct and interpret scatter plots for bivariate measurement data — Problem 3 · Task Set 80

Scatter Plots and Association -- Tutor Intake Assessment

This is a quick check on reading and interpreting scatter plots. The goal
is to see where your understanding is solid and where we should spend
time together — not to grade you. Work independently, without notes.

Grade 8·8 problems·~13 min·Common Core Math - Grade 8·container·8-sp-a-1

Work through problems with immediate feedback

Applications

A scatter plot shows a clear positive association between
monthly ice cream sales and the number of reported drownings
that month: as ice cream sales go up, so do drownings. Does this
scatter plot prove that ice cream sales cause drownings?

Yes -- a strong positive association is proof of a causal relationship

No -- a third factor (like hot summer weather) likely drives both variables, so association does not prove causation

Yes -- but only because the association happens to be positive rather than negative

No -- because the two variables must be plotted on a coordinate plane to compare, and drownings cannot be graphed