An illustration shows a scatterplot titled Attendance. The x-axis shows days ranging from 0 through 110 in increments of ten. The y-axis shows number of patrons and ranges from 600 to 800 in 25 unit increments.

Question

Ten points are plotted on the graph. A kink is shown on both the x- and y-axes close to the origin to indicate a break in the data. The points are plotted at approximate coordinates left parenthesis 10 comma 725 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 20 comma 675 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 30 comma 700 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 40 comma 750 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 50 comma 650 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 60 comma 675 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 70 comma 700 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 80 comma 725 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 90 comma 725 right parenthesis, and left parenthesis 100 comma 650 right parenthesis.
A petting zoo graphed the average attendance of patrons every 10 days over a 100 day period of time. Interpret the scatterplot to determine what type of association the scatterplot shows.

(1 point)
Responses

The graph shows a positive association.
The graph shows a positive association.

The graph shows a linear association.
The graph shows a linear association.

The graph shows a negative association.
The graph shows a negative association.

The graph is non-linear.

Answer 1

To interpret the scatterplot and determine the type of association, we can look at the pattern formed by the plotted points.

1. Positive association: If as the x-values (days) increase, the y-values (number of patrons) also tend to increase, we would describe this as a positive association.

2. Negative association: If as the x-values increase, the y-values tend to decrease, we would describe this as a negative association.

3. Linear vs. Non-linear: If the points form a straight line or a pattern that is close to a straight line, we would say there is a linear association. If the points form a curved pattern or do not form a straight line, we would say it is non-linear.

Examining the coordinates given, we can see that the number of patrons does fluctuate, but there are both increases and decreases in attendance over time. The trend does not appear to be consistently rising or falling, nor does it seem to fit a linear pattern.

Based on this information, the best response is:

The graph is non-linear.