The data in the next column shows birth rate and per capita income (in thousands of 2012 dollars) from 2005 through 2017. Draw a time-series plot for both birth rate and per capita income. Comment on any trends.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Organize the data by listing the years on the horizontal axis (x-axis) of your plot. This will represent the time component from 2005 to 2017.
2. Step 2: For the birth rate, plot the values (births per 1000 women age 15–44) on the vertical axis (y-axis) on the left side or use one scale. Mark each year's birth rate as a point and connect these points with a line to form the birth rate time series.
3. Step 3: For the per capita income, plot the values (in thousands of 2012 dollars) on the same graph but using a second vertical axis on the right side or a different scale to avoid confusion. Mark each year's income value as a point and connect these points with a line to form the income time series.
4. Step 4: Label both vertical axes clearly, indicating which axis corresponds to birth rate and which corresponds to per capita income. Also, add a legend to distinguish the two lines on the plot.
5. Step 5: Analyze the trends by observing the plotted lines: note whether the birth rate is increasing, decreasing, or stable over time, and do the same for per capita income. Comment on any inverse or direct relationships you observe between the two variables over the years.

Key Concepts

Time-Series Plot

A time-series plot displays data points collected or recorded at successive time intervals. It helps visualize trends, patterns, and fluctuations over time. In this question, plotting birth rate and per capita income against years reveals how these variables change from 2005 to 2017.

Trend Analysis

Trend analysis involves identifying the general direction in which data points move over time, such as increasing, decreasing, or stable trends. Recognizing trends in birth rate and income helps interpret social and economic changes during the period.

Dual-Axis Plot Interpretation

When plotting two variables with different units on the same graph, a dual-axis plot is used to compare their trends simultaneously. Understanding how to read and interpret such plots is essential to analyze relationships or contrasts between birth rate and per capita income.