Final Answer:
Decide which two points give the most representative straight line.
Thus the correct option is (C).
Step-by-step explanation:
Before determining the equation for the line of best fit, it is crucial to select two points that represent the trend in the data effectively. This involves assessing the scatter plot and choosing points that align with the general direction of the data. The line of best fit should capture the overall pattern of the points.
Once the two points are selected, the slope of the line can be found by calculating the rise over run, i.e., the change in the vertical direction divided by the change in the horizontal direction. After obtaining the slope, the y-intercept can be determined.
Choosing points arbitrarily (as in option d) or without considering their representation of the trend may result in an inaccurate line of best fit. The goal is to create a line that best represents the data points and provides a reliable model for making predictions.
Thus the correct option is (C).