Math Problem Statement

The scatterplot shows the grades for ten students on a recent test in relation to the time that each student spent studying. Based on these data, what would be the best estimate for the test score made by a student who studied for 35 minutes? Explain your method and reasoning.

The scatterplot shows the grades for ten students on a recent test in relation to the time that each student spent studying. Based on these data, what would be the best estimate for the test score made by a student who studied for 35 minutes? Explain your method and reasoning.

Solution

To estimate the test score for a student who studied for 35 minutes based on the scatterplot, we can use the trend of the data, which suggests a positive linear relationship between study time and test scores.

Steps:

  1. Observation of the Scatterplot:

    • The points show an upward trend, indicating that as study time increases, test scores also increase.
    • Most points align closely with a straight line, suggesting that a linear regression model would be appropriate.
  2. Visual Interpolation:

    • From the scatterplot, the scores for students who studied for 30 and 40 minutes appear to be approximately 85 and 95, respectively.
    • Since 35 minutes is midway between 30 and 40, the test score is likely to be halfway between 85 and 95.
  3. Estimation:

    • Halfway between 85 and 95 is 85+952=90\frac{85 + 95}{2} = 90.
    • Therefore, the estimated test score for a student who studied for 35 minutes is 90.
  4. Method Reasoning:

    • This estimation assumes a linear relationship between study time and test scores, which is supported by the scatterplot's pattern.
    • Visual interpolation (averaging scores of nearby points) is a simple and reasonable method in the absence of exact regression calculations.

Would you like a more detailed analysis, such as finding an exact regression line or other methods? Here are some related questions for deeper exploration:

  1. How would adding a regression line help make more precise predictions?
  2. Could the relationship between study time and test scores ever plateau? Why or why not?
  3. What might explain any outliers in the scatterplot, and how would they affect predictions?
  4. If the study time exceeds 50 minutes, would the linear trend still apply?
  5. How can this analysis be used to encourage students to manage their study time?

Tip: Always use regression analysis for precise predictions when data trends are linear. Visual interpolation is effective for quick estimates.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Interpolation
Data Analysis
Scatterplots

Formulas

Average formula: (value1 + value2) / 2

Theorems

Linear Relationship in Data

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-9