Question

what is the best description of the relationship in the scatterplot below?
choose 1 answer:
a positive linear association
b negative linear association
c nonlinear association
d no association

Explanation:

To determine the relationship in the scatterplot, we analyze the pattern of the points:

• A positive linear association (A) would have points increasing in a straight - line trend. But here, the points first decrease, then increase, so not linear.
• A negative linear association (B) would have points decreasing in a straight - line trend. The points in this scatterplot do not show a consistent decrease.
• A nonlinear association (C) occurs when the points follow a curved pattern. Here, the points seem to form a U - shaped curve (first decreasing, then increasing), which is a nonlinear pattern.
• No association (D) would have points scattered randomly with no discernible pattern. But here, there is a clear curved pattern.

Answer:

C. Nonlinear association