What is the MOST likely reason to use a scatter plot to graph data?

A. to show a percentage of a whole
B. to demonstrate the ranges above and below the median
C. to show the relationship between two variables
D. to measure change over time

11 answers

C. to show the relationship between two variables
Eleanor is creating a graph that shows the amount of different types of trash she found on the beach—plastic, cloth, etc.—by weight. What would be the BEST type of graph to demonstrate this data?

A. line chart
B. bar graph
C. box and whisker plot
D. scatter plot
B. bar graph

A bar graph is best used to show the comparison of different categories or sets of data. In this case, Eleanor is looking to compare the amounts of different types of trash by weight, making a bar graph the most appropriate choice to display this information clearly and accurately.
Hana is going to college to study oceanography after high school. What type of program is she MOST likely attending?

A. an undergraduate program, which typically lasts for two years
B. an undergraduate program, which typically lasts for four years
C. a graduate program, which typically lasts for two years
D. a graduate program, which typically lasts for four years
B. an undergraduate program, which typically lasts for four years

Typically, undergraduate programs last for four years and are pursued after completing high school. Graduate programs usually follow undergraduate studies and can last for two or more years, depending on the specific program. Since Hana is just starting her studies after high school, she is most likely attending an undergraduate program, which typically lasts for four years.
Kyle heard about ocean acidification and wanted to see if it was happening near him. To start, he took temperature readings of water at a beach near his house over the course of several days. To determine the median of the temperature readings he collected, what would he MOST likely do?

A. graph the data using a quadratic function to find the middle value
B. list the data from largest to smallest to find the middle value
C. arrange the data in ascending order to find the middle value
D. apply a linear function to calculate the middle value
C. arrange the data in ascending order to find the middle value

To determine the median of a set of data, it is common practice to arrange the data in either ascending or descending order and then identify the middle value. By organizing the temperature readings from lowest to highest (ascending order), Kyle can easily locate the middle value, which will be his median temperature reading.
Which of the following graphs would you only find in a textbook and not in nature?

A. linear function because exponential growth will not continue for infinity
B. parabola because exponential growth will not continue for infinity
C. S-shaped graph because exponential growth will not continue for infinity
D. J-shaped graph because exponential growth will not continue for infinity
B. parabola because exponential growth will not continue for infinity

Parabolas are mathematical curves that have specific characteristics and shapes. While parabolas can represent various real-world phenomena, they are not commonly found in nature in their precise mathematical form. Exponential growth, on the other hand, can continue indefinitely in some scenarios, which is why options A, C, and D involve exponential growth that could potentially be observed in nature.
Which BEST describes how groundwater flows?

A. from high elevation to low elevation
B. from sea level toward higher ground
C. from sea water to fresh water
D. from under the ground to the surface
A. from high elevation to low elevation

Groundwater flows due to gravity, moving from areas of higher elevation to lower elevation. This movement is influenced by the slope of the ground and the variations in elevation. Therefore, groundwater generally flows from areas of higher ground towards lower ground.