Question

which scatter plot shows a positive linear association?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the definition of positive linear association

In a scatter - plot with a positive linear association, as the \(x\) - values increase, the \(y\) - values also tend to increase.

Step2: Analyze each scatter - plot

• For the first scatter - plot: The \(y\) - values do not show a clear increasing trend as \(x\) increases. There is a point with a relatively low \(y\) - value (\(y = 4\)) for a relatively large \(x\) - value.
• For the second scatter - plot: As \(x\) increases, \(y\) decreases, which is a negative association.
• For the third scatter - plot: As \(x\) increases, \(y\) increases. The points follow an upward - sloping pattern.
• For the fourth scatter - plot: The points do not follow a linear pattern.

Answer:

The third scatter - plot (the one in the bottom - left of the four - plot arrangement when considering the standard reading order of left - to - right, top - to - bottom) shows a positive linear association.