1. 4.5 – Analyzing Lines of Best Fit
Today’s learning goal is that students will be able to
Use residuals to determine how well lines of fit model data.
Distinguish between correlation and causation.

2. Core Concept Residual – the difference of the y-value of a data point and the corresponding y-value found using the line of fit.
If the model (line of fit) is good, then the absolute values of the residuals are relatively small.

3. Example 1 – Using Residuals
In Example 3 in Section 4.4, the equation y = -2x +20 models the data in the table shown. Is the model a good fit?
Week, x
Sales (millions), y 1 19 2 15 3 13 4 11 5 10 6 8 7
Y-value from
model y = -2x +20
Residual
-2(1) +20 = 18
19-18 = 1
-2(2) + 20 = 16
15-16 = -1
-2(3) + 20 = 14
13-14 = -1
-2(4) + 20 = 12
11-12 = -1
-2(5) + 20 = 10
10-10 = 0
-2(6) + 20 = 8
8 – 8 = 0
-2(7) + 20 = 6
7 – 6 = 1
-2(8) + 20 = 4
5 – 4 = 1
Example 1 – Using Residuals
Notice that all of the residual points are close to zero. Let’s graph them.

4. Example 1 – Using Residuals
In Example 3 in Section 4.4, the equation y = -2x +20 models the data in the table shown. Is the model a good fit?
Week, x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Residual
19-18 = 1
15-16 = -1
13-14 = -1
11-12 = -1
10-10 = 0
8 – 8 = 0
7 – 6 = 1
5 – 4 = 1
Example 1 – Using Residuals
The points are evenly dispersed about the x-axis. The equation is a good fit.

5. Example 2 – Using Residuals
The table shows the ages x and salaries y (in thousands of dollars) of eight employees at a company. The equation y = 0.2x + 38 models the data. Is the model (is the line of fit) a good fit.
Example 2 – Using Residuals
Ages, x
Salaries (in thousands) y 35 42 37 44 41 47 43 50 45 52 51 53 49 55
Y-value from
model y = 0.2x + 38
Residual
0.2(35) + 38 = 45
42-45 = -3
0.2(37) + 38 = 45.4
= -1.4
0.2(41) + 38 = 46.2
= 0.8
0.2(43) + 38 = 46.6
= 3.4
0.2(45) + 38 = 47.0
52-47 = 5
0.2(47) + 38 = 47.4
= 3.6
0.2(53) + 38 = 48.6
49 – 48.6 = 0.4
0.2(55) + 38 = 49
45 – 49 = -4.0

6. Example 2 – Using Residuals
Let’s graph the residuals.
Ages, x
Residual 35 -3 37
-1.4 41
0.8 43
3.4 45 5 47
3.6 53
0.4 55
-4.0
Example 2 – Using Residuals
The residual points form a ∩ shaped pattern, which suggest the data are not linear.
The equation y = 0.2x + 38 does not model the data well.

7. 1. The table shows the attendances y (in thousands) at an amusement part from 2005 to 2014, where x = 0 represents the year The equation y = -9.8x models the data. Is it a good fit?
You Try!
Step 1: Set up the table
Step 2: Calculate the residuals
Step 3: Plot the residuals
Is the equation a good fit? NO

8. Finding Lines of Best Fit
Graphing calculators use a method called linear regression to find a precise line of fit called a line of best fit.
A graphing calculator often gives a value r, called the correlation coefficient.
Values of r range from -1 to 1.
When r is close to -1, there is a strong negative correlation.
When r is close to 1, there is a strong positive correlation.
When r = 0, there is no correlation.
When r is close to 0, the correlation is weak.
Finding Lines of Best Fit

9. Correlation and Causation
Causation – when the change in one variable causes the change in another variable.
When there is causation, there is a strong correlation.
A strong correlation does not necessarily imply causation.
Correlation and Causation

10. Example 5 – Identifying Correlation and Causation
Tell whether a correlation is likely in the situation. If so, tell whether there is a casual relationship (causation). Explain.
a) time spent exercising and the number of calories burned
b) the number of banks and the population of a city
Example 5 – Identifying Correlation and Causation
There is a positive correlation and a casual relationship because the more time you spend exercising, the more calories you burn.
There may be a positive correlation but no casual relationship. Building more banks will not cause the population to increase.

11. Is there a correlation between time spent playing video games and grade point average? If so, is there a casual relationship (causation)? Explain your reasoning
You Try!
There may be a negative correlation.
A casual relationship is possible because the more time you spend playing video games, the less time you spend studying.