Use the image to answer the question.

Six points are plotted on a scatterplot. The x-axis is labeled Height in feet, and the y-axis is labeled Residual Value.

What scatterplot shape description would match the shape of the provided residual plot?

(1 point)
Responses

The scatterplot would have four points below the line of best fit and one above.
The scatterplot would have four points below the line of best fit and one above.

The scatterplot has five points that lie below the line of best fit and one above.
The scatterplot has five points that lie below the line of best fit and one above.

The scatterplot has five points that lie above the line of best fit and one below.
The scatterplot has five points that lie above the line of best fit and one below.

The scatterplot would have three points on the line of best fit, two below, and one above.

1 answer

To determine the correct description of the scatterplot based on the residual plot, you would need to understand what a residual plot represents. The residuals show the differences between the observed values and the values predicted by the line of best fit.

The key descriptions in the options given are centered around the positions of points concerning the line of best fit. Here's what you might infer based on typical interpretation:

  • Points above the line of best fit indicate positive residuals (the observed value is higher than predicted).
  • Points below the line of best fit indicate negative residuals (the observed value is lower than predicted).

Given those principles, if the scatterplot has a certain number of points above and below the line of best fit, the corresponding description would point to that specific situation.

As an example, if the residual plot indicates that there are four points below and one point above, the scatterplot representation you would choose is:

The scatterplot would have four points below the line of best fit and one above.

Select the answer based on the residual points provided in your scatterplot and any context you have from the provided image.