Question

the following scatter plot depicts the number of chicken pox cases after 1988. the variable x represents the number of years after 1988. the variable y represents the number of cases in thousands. does there appear to be a linear relationship? explain your answer. a. yes, there is a linear relationship. the data appears to have a negative correlation. b. yes, there is a linear relationship. the data appears to have a positive correlation. c. no, there is not a linear relationship. the dataseems random. d. no, there is not a linear relationship. there is no line which goes through all the points.

Explanation:

A linear relationship in a scatter - plot is indicated by points that roughly follow a straight - line pattern. Here, as the number of years after 1988 (x) increases, the number of chicken pox cases (y) seems to decrease. This indicates a negative correlation, which is a type of linear relationship. Just because no single line can pass through all points doesn't mean there is no linear relationship. A linear relationship implies a general linear trend, not that all points lie on a single line.

Answer:

a. Yes, there is a linear relationship. The data appears to have a negative correlation.