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

• A. A scatterplot is a diagram that shows the probability distribution of a single variable using a curve.
• B. A scatterplot is a table that summarizes the frequencies of categorical variables to show their distribution.
• C. A scatterplot is a type of bar chart used to compare the means of different groups.
• D. A scatterplot is a graph that displays individual data points for two variables, helping us visually assess the relationship or correlation between them.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a scatterplot is a graphical representation used in statistics to display data points for two variables on a Cartesian plane.
2. Recognize that each point on the scatterplot corresponds to one observation with coordinates representing values of the two variables.
3. Know that the primary use of a scatterplot is to visually assess the relationship or correlation between the two variables, such as identifying patterns, trends, or clusters.
4. Differentiate a scatterplot from other graphical tools: it is not a probability distribution curve, a frequency table, or a bar chart.
5. Conclude that the best description of a scatterplot is that it displays individual data points for two variables to help analyze their relationship.