Question

which statement is the best interpretation of the scatterplot shown?

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there is no correlation between the number of hours spent studying and the number of mistakes made.
if you study for 4 hours, you will make exactly one mistake.
if you study for more hours, then you will make fewer mistakes on the exam.
if you study for more hours, then you will make more mistakes on the exam.

Explanation:

• Analyze the scatterplot: The x - axis is “# Hours Studying” and the y - axis is “# Mistakes made on exam”. As the x - values (hours studying) increase, the y - values (number of mistakes) generally decrease.
• Evaluate Option A: Since there is a general trend (negative correlation) between hours studying and mistakes, this option is incorrect.
• Evaluate Option B: The point at 4 hours studying has two values (1 and 2 mistakes), so it's not “exactly one mistake”, this option is incorrect.
• Evaluate Option D: The trend is that more study hours lead to fewer mistakes, not more, so this option is incorrect.
• Evaluate Option C: This option correctly describes the negative correlation shown in the scatterplot (as study hours increase, mistakes decrease).

Answer:

C. If you study for more hours, then you will make fewer mistakes on the exam.