Which of the following best describes a scatterplot and its primary use in statistics?

• A. A scatterplot is a graph that displays pairs of quantitative data as points on a coordinate plane, helping us visualize the relationship or correlation between two variables.
• B. A scatterplot is a table that summarizes data using rows and columns, helping us organize both qualitative and quantitative variables.
• C. A scatterplot is a diagram that uses sections of a circle to represent proportions of qualitative data, helping us see the relative sizes of categories.
• D. A scatterplot is a chart that shows the frequency of qualitative categories using bars, helping us compare the sizes of different groups.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a scatterplot is a type of graph used in statistics to display data points on a coordinate plane.
2. Recognize that each point on a scatterplot represents a pair of quantitative values, one for each variable being studied.
3. Know that the primary purpose of a scatterplot is to help visualize the relationship or correlation between two quantitative variables.
4. Differentiate a scatterplot from other graphical representations such as tables, pie charts, and bar charts, which serve different purposes and display different types of data.
5. Conclude that the best description of a scatterplot is that it displays pairs of quantitative data as points on a coordinate plane, helping us see patterns, trends, or correlations between two variables.