Question

Which linear equation best represents the line of best fit for the scatterplot?

y = − 1/3x

y= 3x

y=−3x

y = 1/3x

Answer 1

`y = -(1)/(3)x`

Explanation:

The scatter plot trends downward from left-> right, meaning that it is negative. Next, use two points to solve for the value for the slope.

In this case, I will use (-3 , 1) & (0 , 0)

Use the following equation. m = slope:

`m = (y_2 - y_1)/(x_2 - x_1)`

Let:

`(x_1 , y_1) = (0 , 0)\\(x_2 , y_2) = (-3 , 1)`

Plug in the corresponding numbers to the corresponding variables:

`m = (1 - 0)/(-3 - 0) = (1)/(-3) = -(1)/(3)`

Your answer will be:

`y = -(1)/(3)x`