Question

the data reflects the relationship between the number of minutes spent reading (x) and the number of words read (y).
how can the slope of the line be interpreted?
○ every 98 words requires 312 minutes to read.
○ every 312 words requires 98 minutes to read.
○ in each additional minute, approximately 98 more words are read.
○ in each additional minute, approximately 312 more words are read.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Slope Interpretation

The slope of a line \( y = mx + b \) in a scatter plot (where \( x \) is time and \( y \) is words read) represents the rate of change of \( y \) with respect to \( x \). So, it's \( \frac{\text{change in } y}{\text{change in } x} \), meaning words per minute.

Step2: Analyze Each Option

• Option 1: Talks about 98 words needing 312 minutes. Slope is words/min, not minutes/words. Eliminate.
• Option 2: 312 words needing 98 minutes. Again, inverse of slope's meaning (slope is words per minute, not minutes per words). Eliminate.
• Option 3: "In each additional minute, ~98 more words" – this matches slope as words per minute (rate of change of words with respect to time).
• Option 4: 312 words per minute? The graph's slope (from, e.g., \( x=0 \) to \( x=10 \), \( y \approx 2900 \), slope \( \approx 2900/30 \approx 97 \), close to 98, not 312. Eliminate.

Answer:

In each additional minute, approximately 98 more words are read.