Stats Lab
Regression (Distance From School)
- The student will calculate and construct the line of best fit between two variables.
- The student will evaluate the relationship between two variables to determine whether that relationship is significant.
Collect the DataUse eight members of your class for the sample. Collect bivariate data (distance an individual lives from school, the cost of supplies for the current term).
- Complete the table.
Distance from School Cost of Supplies This Term - Which variable should be the dependent variable and which should be the independent variable? Why?
- Graph distance vs. cost. Plot the points on the graph. Label both axes with
words. Scale both axes.
Analyze the DataEnter your data into a calculator or computer. Write the linear equation, rounding to four decimal places.
- Calculate the following:
- a = ______
- b = ______
- correlation = ______
- n = ______
- equation: ŷ = ______
- Is the correlation significant? Why or why not? (Answer in one to three complete sentences.)
- Supply an answer for the following scenarios:
- For a person who lives eight miles from campus, predict the total cost of supplies this term.
- For a person who lives 80 miles from campus, predict the total cost of supplies this term.
- Obtain the graph on a calculator or computer. Sketch the regression line.
- Answer each question in complete sentences.
- Does the line seem to fit the data? Why?
- What does the correlation imply about the relationship between distance and cost?
- Are there any outliers? If so, which point is an outlier?
- Should the outlier, if it exists, be removed? Why or why not?