Question

1. in a scatter plot showing a positive correlation, what kind of slope would the line of best fit have?

a. a slope of 0
b. a positive slope
c. a negative slope
d. an undefined slope

Explanation:

In a scatter - plot with a positive correlation, as the \(x\) - values increase, the \(y\) - values also increase. The slope of a line is calculated as \(m=\frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}\). When both \(\Delta x>0\) (increase in \(x\)) and \(\Delta y > 0\) (increase in \(y\)), the slope \(m=\frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}>0\). A slope of \(0\) (\(y\) is constant as \(x\) changes) represents no correlation. A negative slope (\(y\) decreases as \(x\) increases) represents a negative correlation. An undefined slope (vertical line) is not a line of best - fit for a scatter - plot (since a function (in the context of line of best - fit for a scatter - plot) must pass the vertical line test).

Answer:

B. A positive slope