Question

Suppose you were to collect data for each pair of variables. You want to make a scatterplot. Which variable would you use as the explanatory​ variable, and which as the response​ variable? Why? What would you expect to see in the​ scatterplot? Discuss the likely direction and form.

​a) T-shirts at a​ store: price​ each, number sold.

​b) Real​ estate: house​ price, house size​ (square footage).

​c)​ Economics: interest​ rates, number of mortgage applications.

​d)​ Employees: salary, years of experience.

​a) Fill in the blanks below.

The ___ is the explanatory variable and the ___is the response variable because the ___ is more likely to depend on the _____.

What would you expect to see in the​ scatterplot? Discuss the likely direction and form.

A. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a linear form in a narrow​ range, but a curved form over a larger range of prices.

B. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a curved form in a narrow​ range, but a linear form over a larger range of prices.

C. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a curved form in a narrow​ range, but a linear form over a larger range of prices.

D. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a linear form in a narrow​ range, but a curved form over a larger range of prices.

​b) Fill in the blanks below.

____ is the explanatory variable and ___ is the response variable because ____ is more likely to depend on _____

What would you expect to see in the​ scatterplot? Discuss the likely direction and form.

A. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a curved form.

B. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a mostly linear form.

C. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a curved form.

D. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a mostly linear form.

​c) Fill in the blanks below.

The ___ is the explanatory variable and the ___is the response variable because ____is more likely to depend on _____

What would you expect to see in the​ scatterplot? Discuss the likely direction and form.

A. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a linear form in a narrow​ range, but a curved form over a larger range of interest rates.

B. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a curved form in a narrow​ range, but a linear form over a larger range of interest rates.

C. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a linear form in a narrow​ range, but a curved form over a larger range of interest rates.

D. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a curved form in a narrow​ range, but a linear form over a larger range of interest rates.

​d) Fill in the blanks below.

___ is the explanatory variable and ____is the response variable because ___ is more likely to depend on ____

What would you expect to see in the​ scatterplot? Discuss the likely direction and form.

A. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a linear form.

B. The scatterplot will exhibit a positive direction and a curved form.

C. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a linear form.

D. The scatterplot will exhibit a negative direction and a curved form.

Answer 1

Que.a

The price each is the explanatory variable and the number sold is the response variable because the number sold is more likely to depend on the price.

The scatter plot will exhibit a negative direction and a linear form in a narrow​ range, but a curved form over a larger range of prices.

Que.b

House size is the explanatory variable and house price is the response variable because house price is more likely to depend on house size.

The scatter plot will exhibit a positive direction and a mostly linear form.

Que.c

The interest rate is the explanatory variable and the number of mortgage applications is the response variable because number of mortgage applications is more likely to depend on interest rate.

The scatter plot will exhibit a negative direction and a curved form in a narrow​ range, but a linear form over a larger range of interest rates.

Que.d

Years of experience is the explanatory variable and salary is the response variable because salary is more likely to depend on Years of experience.

The scatter plot will exhibit a positive direction and a curved form.