Draw and Judge Lines of Best Fit

Use the describe and construct sheets first, then the line of best fit sheet. Save the plant growth study as a closing task or a small group project.

Draw lines of best fit on four plots, then judge whether drawn lines fit and explain why. A line of best fit follows the trend, with about as many points above it as below it. The directions on the page read: In Part A, draw a line of best fit on each plot. In Part B, circle Yes or No and explain why. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade data & graphing, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

Give its direction (positive, negative or none), its form (linear or nonlinear) and its strength (strong or weak). Then name any outlier by its point. Describe Association in Scatter Plots uses a table for these choices.

It is a point that sits far from the pattern of the others. In Construct Scatter Plots From Data Tables, one student's 3 mile trip takes 34 minutes, far above the rest.

It follows the direction of the points, with about as many points above it as below it. Draw and Judge Lines of Best Fit has students explain why a drawn line does or does not fit.