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📊 8th grade math · Data & Chance

Scatter plots

A scatter plot shows two things at once. If the points slope up to the right, that is a positive association. If they slope down, it is negative. If they are scattered with no pattern, there is no association.

Worked example

Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
02468100246810Shoe sizeHeight (inches)
Answer: Positive association
The best choice is Positive association. Right: as shoe size goes up, height (inches) tends to go up too. The points slope up to the right. A positive association slopes up, a negative one slopes down, and no association has no pattern.

For grown-ups: Scatter plots, line of best fit, two-way tables. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 8.SP.A
What this practises, for teachers

Practices scatter plots, line of best fit, two-way tables (8.SP.A). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

Try three

  1. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Temperature (°F)Cups of hot cocoa sold
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Negative association
    The best choice is Negative association. Right: as temperature (°f) goes up, cups of hot cocoa sold tends to go down. The points slope down to the right. A positive association slopes up, a negative one slopes down, and no association has no pattern.
  2. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Hours of practiceFree throws made
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Positive association
    The best choice is Positive association. Right: as hours of practice goes up, free throws made tends to go up too. The points slope up to the right. A positive association slopes up, a negative one slopes down, and no association has no pattern.
  3. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Distance from school (blocks)Students who walk
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: Negative association
    The best choice is Negative association. Right: as distance from school (blocks) goes up, students who walk tends to go down. The points slope down to the right. A positive association slopes up, a negative one slopes down, and no association has no pattern.

Before and after

Learn first: Fair samples (7th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Scatter plots (8th grade)

  1. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Hours of practiceFree throws made
  2. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Hours of practiceFree throws made
  3. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Days since the sale beganToys left in the shop
  4. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Height (inches)Favorite number
  5. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Temperature (°C)Cups of lemonade sold
  6. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Shoe sizeNumber of pets
  7. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Hours of TV watchedTest score
  8. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Height (inches)Favorite number
  9. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Shoe sizeNumber of pets
  10. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Minutes of exerciseCalories burned
  11. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Hours of sleepLetters in first name
  12. Does the scatter plot show a positive association, a negative association, or no association?
    02468100246810Height (inches)Favorite number

Answer key

  1. Positive association
  2. Positive association
  3. Negative association
  4. No association
  5. Positive association
  6. No association
  7. Negative association
  8. No association
  9. No association
  10. Positive association
  11. No association
  12. No association

More 8th grade skills: all 8th grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.