What should be true about the line of best fit for any scatter plot? Check all that apply.

Question

A. The line of best fit MUST cross through at least 2 points in the scatter plot.
B. The line must represent the general relationship between the two variables.
C. The line of best fit can, some times, be used as a prediction tool; showing a trend in the data.
D. The line of best fit must have an equal number of points above and below the line.
E. The line of best fit should be an exact representation of the data points.

Answer 1

For a line of best fit in a scatter plot, the following statements are true:

B. The line must represent the general relationship between the two variables. C. The line of best fit can, sometimes, be used as a prediction tool; showing a trend in the data.

The other options are not necessarily true:

A. The line of best fit does not have to cross through at least 2 points; it typically minimizes the distance to all points rather than passing through them.

D. The line of best fit does not require an equal number of points above and below it; it minimizes the overall distance from all points, and the distribution of points relative to the line can vary.

E. The line of best fit is not an exact representation of the data points; it is a model that summarizes the trend of the data, which means it may not pass through any points at all.