Question

time (hours)
distance traveled (miles)
it confirms his hypothesis because the scatterplot must have been created incorrectly.
it confirms his hypothesis because time is the independent variable and distance traveled is the dependent variable.
it invalidates his hypothesis because it is possible for the time a trip takes to depend on the distance that is traveled during the trip.
it invalidates his hypothesis because it is possible for the distance that is traveled during a trip to depend on the time that is spent traveling.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze variable relationship

In a typical relationship, distance traveled \(d = vt\) (where \(v\) is speed). Here, \(x\)-axis is distance (independent variable in a wrong - labeled sense if we consider the hypothesis) and \(y\)-axis is time. But actually, distance depends on time ( \(d\) is a function of \(t\) when speed \(v\) is constant).

Step2: Check hypothesis validation

If the hypothesis was that time depends on distance (wrongly assumed \(t\) as a function of \(d\)), but in reality, distance depends on time ( \(d=vt\), so \(d\) is the dependent variable when \(v\) is constant). The scatter - plot has \(x\) (distance) as the independent - looking variable and \(y\) (time) as the dependent - looking variable, which is against the correct physical relationship.

Answer:

It invalidates his hypothesis because it is possible for the distance that is traveled during a trip to depend on the time that is spent traveling.