Question

shown below are the scatter plots for four data sets.
answer the questions that follow.
(a) which data set appears to show a positive linear relationship between its two variables? select
(b) which data set appears to show a negative linear relationship between its two variables? select
(c) which data set appears to show a nonlinear relationship between its two variables? select
(d) which data set appears to show no relationship between its two variables? select

Explanation:

(a)

A positive linear relationship means as \( x \) increases, \( y \) generally increases in a straight - line - like pattern. Looking at the scatter plots, Figure 2 has points that show an upward trend as \( x \) increases, which is characteristic of a positive linear relationship.

A negative linear relationship means as \( x \) increases, \( y \) generally decreases in a straight - line - like pattern. In Figure 3, as \( x \) increases, \( y \) decreases in a relatively linear way.

A nonlinear relationship is one where the points do not follow a straight - line pattern. Figure 4 has points that form a curve (a U - shape), so it shows a nonlinear relationship.

Answer:

Figure 2

(b)