Common Core: 8th Grade Math : Use the Equation of a Linear Model to Solve Problems: CCSS.Math.Content.8.SP.A.3

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 8th Grade Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Statistics & Probability

A school principal conducted a statistical experiment to determine the relationship between  and the number of hours spent studying each week. In this study, the principal assigned the number of hours spent studying as the independent variable, and the  was assigned as the dependent variable. He plotted his results on a scatter plot. If the results follow a linear relationship, what is a reasonable conclusion that could be found based these results? 

Possible Answers:

An undefined slope 

A slope of 

A positive slope

A negative slope

Correct answer:

A positive slope

Explanation:

We know, from attending school ourselves, that completing homework assignments and studying for quizzes and tests means that we will do better in school than if we didn't do those things. Completing homework and studying for tests takes time outside of school. Normally, the harder you study and the more time you spend studying, the more likely you are to do well in school. If you don't study at all, nor spend anytime completing homework assignments, your school grade will likely be lower than if you had spent time preparing and completing assignments; thus, we can conclude that the more time we spend studying, the higher our  will be. As the number of hours studied increases, the  will increase; thus, the best fit line will have a positive slope. 

 

Example Question #231 : Data Analysis

A school principal conducted a statistical experiment to determine the relationship between  and the number of hours spent studying each week. In this study, the principal assigned the number of hours spent studying as the independent variable, and the  was assigned as the dependent variable. The principal drew a line of best fit and found the  to be . What does this mean? 

Possible Answers:

Every  studying increases a student's 

A student who studied  hours per week received an average  of 

Every week of studying increased a student's  by 

The average student  is 

Correct answer:

A student who studied  hours per week received an average  of 

Explanation:

The question tells us that the hours spent per week studying is the independent variable, or the , and the  is the dependent variable, or the 

The  is when ; thus, when a student spends zero hours studying their average  is 

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