Question

One data point in a set has a residual equal to
.
Which statement about this residual is TRUE?


The data cannot be modeled using a linear equation.

The observed value is
more than the predicted value.

The line of best fit is a good model for this data point.

The most appropriate equation of the line of best fit for this dataset is
.

Answer 1

I don't have the residual value — the problem text has blanks — so I can't pick the single correct choice. Tell me the residual (the missing number) and I will pick the correct statement.

Meanwhile, here are the rules you can use to decide:

- Residual = observed − predicted.
- If the residual is positive, then the observed value is that many units more than the predicted value (the second choice would be true if the blank is filled with that positive number).
- If the residual is negative, the observed value is |residual| less than the predicted value.
- If the residual is 0 (or very close to 0), the line fits that point well (the third choice would be true for 0).
- A single residual cannot by itself show that the entire dataset cannot be modeled linearly (first choice is not justified).
- You cannot determine the full equation of the line of best fit from a single residual (fourth choice is not justified).

Give the residual value and I’ll state which choice is correct.