Question

based on the scatter plot below, which is a better prediction for y when x = 42?
(scatter plot with x-axis from 0 to 100 and y-axis from 0 to 100, with green dots plotted. options: 16, 79)

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the scatter plot trend

The scatter plot shows a negative correlation (as \( x \) increases, \( y \) generally decreases). When \( x = 42 \), we check the pattern of the data points.

Step2: Evaluate the options

• For \( y = 16 \): Looking at the plot, when \( x \) is around 40 (close to 42), the \( y \)-values are in the range that aligns with the negative trend (e.g., at \( x \approx 40 \), \( y \) is around 30 - 15, and 16 is reasonable for \( x = 42 \) as the trend is decreasing.
• For \( y = 79 \): 79 is a high \( y \)-value, and the trend shows \( y \) decreases with \( x \); at \( x = 42 \), a high \( y \)-value like 79 does not fit the negative correlation (since at low \( x \) (e.g., \( x = 0 - 10 \)), \( y \) is high, but as \( x \) increases to 42, \( y \) should be much lower than 79). So 16 is a better prediction.

Answer:

16