Check all of the statements that are true.

(9 points)
Responses

The line of best fit must show the middle score of the data as being on the line.
The line of best fit must show the middle score of the data as being on the line.

The slope of the line of best fit could be around m = -1/2000.
The slope of the line of best fit could be around m = -1/2000.

The line of best fit should include the lowest and highest scores.
The line of best fit should include the lowest and highest scores.

The y-intercept of the line of best fit would show a happiness score of around 40 when there is $0 income.
The y-intercept of the line of best fit would show a happiness score of around 40 when there is $0 income.

There is no correlation between happiness and income.
There is no correlation between happiness and income.

The line of best fit would have a positive slope representing as income goes up, happiness goes up.
The line of best fit would have a positive slope representing as income goes up, happiness goes up.

This is a moderate positive correlation.
This is a moderate positive correlation.

As a person's income goes up, their happiness trends down.
As a person's income goes up, their happiness trends down.

1 answer

To determine which statements are true, let's analyze each one based on general statistical principles regarding lines of best fit (regression lines) and relationships between variables:

  1. The line of best fit must show the middle score of the data as being on the line.

    • False: The line of best fit does not have to pass through the median or mean of the data points; it minimizes the sum of squared distances from each point to the line.
  2. The slope of the line of best fit could be around m = -1/2000.

    • True or Possibly True: It is possible for the slope to be negative and very small, though this depends on the actual data observed. Without specific data, we can't definitively say if there's a correlation of this type.
  3. The line of best fit should include the lowest and highest scores.

    • False: The line of best fit does not have to include the lowest or highest scores; it is determined by the overall trend of the data, and can fall above, below, or between these values.
  4. The y-intercept of the line of best fit would show a happiness score of around 40 when there is $0 income.

    • True or Possibly True: This can be true if the regression model indicates a y-intercept of around 40 when income is equal to 0. However, this needs specific data to verify.
  5. There is no correlation between happiness and income.

    • False: Often there is some degree of correlation between happiness and income, but the strength and nature of that correlation can vary.
  6. The line of best fit would have a positive slope representing as income goes up, happiness goes up.

    • True or Possibly True: This could be true if the data shows a positive correlation between income and happiness, which is commonly observed. However, it is not always guaranteed without data.
  7. This is a moderate positive correlation.

    • True or Possibly True: Again, this may be valid; it heavily depends on the actual data and the strength of the relationship.
  8. As a person's income goes up, their happiness trends down.

    • False: This statement describes a negative correlation. Generally, the expectation is that as income increases, happiness tends to increase, though this is not universally applicable.

Summary of Responses

  • True or Possibly True:

    • The slope of the line of best fit could be around m = -1/2000.
    • The y-intercept of the line of best fit would show a happiness score of around 40 when there is $0 income.
    • The line of best fit would have a positive slope representing as income goes up, happiness goes up (only if data supports this).
    • This is a moderate positive correlation (only if data supports this).
  • False:

    • The line of best fit must show the middle score of the data as being on the line.
    • The line of best fit should include the lowest and highest scores.
    • There is no correlation between happiness and income.
    • As a person's income goes up, their happiness trends down.

Without specific data, some responses can only be cautiously deemed true or false.