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Question

A scatterplot shows the number of cups of coffee sold versus temperature.
The horizontal axis shows temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, ranging from 0 to 70 in increments of 5, with an initial jump from 0 to 25. The vertical axis shows number of cups of coffee sold, ranging from 0 to 60 in increments of 10. A kink is shown on the horizontal axis close to origin. A tightly packed cluster of data plots is plotted between 30 to 37 on the horizontal axis and 42 to 48 on the vertical axis. A loosely packed cluster of data plots is plotted between 40 to 51 on the horizontal axis 30 and 38 on the vertical axis and. A dot is plotted at 62 on the horizontal axis and 5 on the vertical axis.
Numbers of Cups of Coffee Sold Versus Temperature

Interpret the scatterplot by describing any outliers and patterns of clustering.

Answer 1

In the given scatterplot depicting the number of cups of coffee sold versus temperature, we can observe the following patterns and potential outliers:

Clusters:

1. Tightly Packed Cluster (30-37°F, 42-48 cups):

   • There is a strong cluster of data points between temperatures of 30 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit, with corresponding coffee sales ranging from 42 to 48 cups. This suggests a strong relationship where colder temperatures likely lead to increased coffee sales, likely due to demand for warm beverages in cooler weather.

2. Loosely Packed Cluster (40-51°F, 30-38 cups):

   • Another cluster appears between 40 to 51 degrees Fahrenheit on the horizontal axis, with coffee sales between 30 and 38 cups. This indicates a moderate relationship, where sales remain relatively stable as temperatures rise further into the 40s.

Outliers:

• Outlier at (62°F, 5 cups):
  • There is a noticeable outlier at 62 degrees Fahrenheit with only 5 cups sold. This point stands out from the rest of the data, as it contradicts the general trend observed in colder temperatures. This might indicate that as temperatures rise above a certain threshold, the demand for coffee significantly decreases, possibly due to people's preference for cooler beverages in warmer weather.

Conclusion:

Overall, the scatterplot reveals a clear tendency for increased coffee sales in colder temperatures, with clusters demonstrating responsiveness to temperature changes. However, the outlier at higher temperatures highlights a shift in consumer behavior, potentially indicating that traditional coffee consumption diminishes as it gets warmer.