Graphics Interpretation - Scatterplots and Bubble Graphs

The graph shows GDP per capita (in 2010 US dollars) and Internet users as a percentage of population for 35 Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2010. The relative size of each circle represents each country's population in 2010.

From each drop-down menu, select the option that creates the most accurate statement based on the information provided.

There is [[dropdown1]] correlation between GDP per capita and Internet users as a percentage of population among the 35 countries in the graph.

In the country with the highest per-capita GDP in the graph, Internet users account for approximately [[dropdown2]] % of the population.

Incorrect.

Two variables have a positive correlation if their values increase or decrease together. They have a negative correlation if one variable increases when the other decreases. Finally, they have no correlation if the variables have no relationship at all.

Notice that the data points in the graph are roughly in a line that goes up from left to right. Therefore, there is a correlation between per-capita GDP and percentage of Internet users.

Incorrect.

Two variables have a positive correlation if their values increase or decrease together. They have a negative correlation if one variable increases when the other decreases. Finally, they have no correlation if the variables have no relationship at all.

Notice that the data points do not go down when reading the graph from left to right. Therefore, GDP and Internet users do not have a negative correlation.

Yes!

Two variables have a positive correlation if their values increase or decrease together. They have a negative correlation if one variable increases when the other decreases. Finally, they have no correlation if the variables have no relationship at all.

As you read the graph from left to right, the data points go up. In other words, per-capita GDP and percentage of Internet users both increase from left to right. Therefore, these quantities have a positive correlation.

Incorrect.

You might have gotten this value if you found the greatest value for Internet users as a percentage of the population. The problem asks for the Internet-users percentage for the country with the greatest per-capita GDP.

To find the country with the greatest per-capita GDP, locate the rightmost dot on the graph. Then use the vertical axis to estimate that country's Internet-users percentage.

Incorrect.

You might have gotten this value if you found the Internet users as a percentage of the population for the country with the second-highest GDP per capita. You should find this value for the country with the very highest GDP per capita among the countries in the graph.

To find the country with the greatest per-capita GDP, locate the rightmost dot on the graph. Then use the vertical axis to estimate that country's Internet-users percentage.

Perfect!

To find the country with the greatest per-capita GDP, locate the rightmost dot on the graph.

From the vertical axis, Internet uses account for approximately 45% of the population in this country.