In this lesson, students model linear data collected in a variety of settings that range from car repair to sports to medicine. Students can work alone or in small groups to construct scatterplots, interpret data points and trends, and investigate the line of best fit. Activity sheets and guiding questions are provided for four applied data contexts. (author/sw)

Graphing statistical data allows an investigator to find out whether a relation exists between two variables. If a relation is found, the relation can then be used to make decisions. In Business, the graph might relate selling price to profit. In Agriculture, the graph might relate feed costs to weight gain. In Health Services, the graph might relate drug dose to patient weight (as investigated in Activity 3 in this lesson). In Transportation, the graph might relate maintenance frequency to repair costs (as illustrated in Activity 1 in this lesson). The instructor is encouraged to adapt the lesson to the particular course and course topic being taught. Since so much information is communicated using graphical displays, making, reading and interpreting graphs is an important General Career Skill. They are important visual representations of the ideas which they represent.