Figure 5.1: Inflation and US Presidential Election Outcomes (1912–2020)

An economist creates a scatterplot to examine the relationship between the average number of hours a person works per week (on the x-axis) and their self-reported happiness score from 1 to 10 (on the y-axis). After plotting the data from a large survey, a line of best fit is calculated and drawn. This line starts high on the left side of the graph and slopes downwards to the right. Based only on this line of best fit, what is the most reasonable interpretation of the relationship between the two variables?

Evaluating a Conclusion from a Scatterplot

An economist is studying the relationship between a country's average tariff rate (the tax on imported goods) and its gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. They create a scatterplot with the tariff rate on the x-axis and GDP per capita on the y-axis. The resulting line of best fit starts high on the left side of the graph and slopes downwards to the right. Which of the following statements is the most accurate analysis of the relationship shown by this line?

Interpreting a Scatterplot of Education and Income

What is the primary purpose of a line of best fit (also known as a regression line) when drawn through a scatterplot?