1. Scattergrams
A scattergram a type of graph that is used to try to find a relationship between two variables (things)
Here is an example of how the information about AGE and AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT AT THE WEEKEND is put onto a scattergram.
People were asked:
What is your age?
How much money did you spend this weekend?
Their answers were recorded in a table like this:

2. I’m 16 and I spent £10
I’m 18 and I spent £25
Age 18 16
Amount 25 10

3. Age 18 16 17 15 Amount 25 10 22 8 I’m 17 and I spent £22

4. Age 18 16 17 15 19 Amount 25 10 22 8 30 I’m 17 and I spent £15

5. Age x 18 16 17 15 19
Amount y 25 10 22 8 30
This graph needs to be rescaled.

6. Age 18 16 17 15 19
Amount 25 10 22 8 30
This graph is clearer due to a better scale.

7. This line is called the line of best fit.
If it goes up in this direction, it has a positive correlation.

8. Types of Correlation
click on hyperlink above To measure the correlation a value r is calculated which lies between –1 and +1. This is called the correlation coefficient
If all the points lie on a perfect straight line then r equals either +1 or –1.
If the points are totally scattered and there appears to be no line of best fit then r = 0.
Other values of r indicate a degree of correlation – strong, medium or weak.

9. r = 1 r = 0.6 r = 0.1 r = 0 r = –0.7 r = –1 Perfect positive
correlation
r = 1
Moderate positive correlation
r = 0.6
Very weak positive correlation
r = 0.1
No correlation
r = 0
Quite strong
negative correlation
r = –0.7
Perfect negative
correlation
r = –1

10. Drawing the line of best fit.
The line of best fit must pass through the:
Mean x value and the mean y value

11. Finding the mean x and y value
Age x 18 16 17 15 19
Amount y 25 10 22 8 30
To find the mean x value add up all the ages and divide by how many there are
Total age = = 120
Number of values = 7
Mean Age =

12. Finding the mean x and y value
Age x 18 16 17 15 19
Amount y 25 10 22 8 30
To find the mean y value add up all the money and divide by how many there are
Total age = = 120
Number of values = 7
Mean Age =

13. Drawing the line of best fit.
The line of best fit must pass through the point (17.1, 17.1) The mean x and y values are not usually the same

14. Drawing the line of best fit.
If the data is plotted using EXCEL then the value of r can be obtained

15. Using the handout on using Excel follow the stages to plot the scatter diagram and draw the line of best fit with the correlation coefficient r

16. Plot these points on a scattergram.
Pupil A B C D E F G H I J K L M
Shoe S. 2 3 4 5 7 6
Height
1.3
1.5
1.4
1.8
1.7
1.6
What type of correlation does the scattergram show between shoe size and height?
What can you usually say about the connection between shoe size and height?

17. What type of correlation does this show
Plot these points on a scattergram to show the connection between revision and number of GCSE passes.
Pupil A B C D E F G H I J K L
Hours Rev. 45 67 97 34 5 78 12 49 76 89 90
No. GCSE 4 6 9 1 2 8 10
What type of correlation does this show
Draw a line of best fit onto the scattergram after having determined the mean x and the mean y value.
Use this line to estimate how many hours are needed for 7 GCSE passes.