Question

bell ringer - graphing
amount of nitrogen in water, ppm
nitrogen in water, ppm (y - axis: 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35)
distance from sewage treatment plant, kilometers (x - axis: 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 1.2, 1.4)
what type of relationship exists between these variables?
○ direct: as distance from sewage plant increases, the nitrogen in the water increases
○ direct: as distance from sewage plant increases, the nitrogen in the water decreases
○ inverse: as distance from sewage plant increases, the nitrogen in the water increases
○ inverse: as distance from sewage plant increases, the nitrogen in the water decreases

Explanation:

1. First, analyze the graph: The x - axis is "Distance from sewage treatment plant (kilometers)" and the y - axis is "Nitrogen in water (ppm)". As the distance (x - value) increases, the nitrogen level (y - value) decreases.
2. Then, recall the definitions:

• A direct relationship means that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases.
• An inverse relationship means that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases.
• In this case, since distance increases and nitrogen in water decreases, it is an inverse relationship. So the correct option is the one that states an inverse relationship with distance increasing and nitrogen decreasing.

Answer:

D. INVERSE: as distance from sewage plant increases, the nitrogen in the water decreases