- Definition
A scatter plot is a graph that uses dots to show if there's a connection between two different things, like how much a child studies and their test scores.
A scatter plot could show that students who studied for more hours generally got higher test scores, with each dot representing one student's study time and score.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A scatter plot is like looking at a group of friends to see if the ones who are taller also tend to have bigger shoe sizes.
Ask your child: If we plotted everyone's height and arm span, what might the dots look like?
Common mix-up: A scatter plot can show a pattern or relationship, but it does not prove that one thing causes the other. The dots do not need to make a perfect straight line.
Examples
- Plotting the daily temperature against the number of ice cream cones sold at a shop.
- Showing the relationship between a car's age and its resale value.
- Graphing each basketball player's height and the number of rebounds they get per game.
scatter plot is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
