Statistics: Scatterplot Pulse Rates

Objectives

• Students will analyze the relationship between two quantities by plotting data on a scatterplot.
• Students will informally assess the fit of a function by plotting and analyzing residuals.
• Students will recognize that, if a linear model is a good fit for the data, the residual plot should not have a pattern or be systematic in any way.
• Students will analyze and interpret the significance of the slope and y-intercept of a linear model.

Vocabulary

• explanatory variable
• least-squares regression line
• residual
• response variable
• scatter plot
• slope

About the Lesson

This lesson involves creating a scatterplot and fitting a line to student pulse rates collected before and after exercise.

As a result, students will:

• Fit a moveable line to a scatterplot of pulse rates before and after exercise.
• Identify large residuals from the scatterplot and line and from the residual plot.
• Drag the line, and observe how the residuals change.
• Inspect the least-squares regression line and the corresponding residual plot.