Question

which two points should the line of best fit go through to best represent the data in the scatterplot?
options: (1, 3) and (2, 7); (1, 3) and (6, 13); (3, 8) and (5, 12); (5, 12) and (6, 13)

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the scatterplot trend

The scatterplot shows a positive linear trend. We need to find two points that lie close to the middle of the data distribution to represent the line of best fit.

Step2: Evaluate each option

• Option 1: (1, 3) and (2, 7) – These are early points, not in the middle.
• Option 2: (1, 3) and (6, 13) – (1,3) is too low, (6,13) is high, not balanced.
• Option 3: (3, 8) and (5, 12) – (3,8) is in the lower - middle, (5,12) is in the upper - middle, and the line through them would balance the data points above and below.
• Option 4: (5, 12) and (6, 13) – These are at the upper end, not representing the overall trend.

Answer:

(3, 8) and (5, 12)