Scatter graphs (8300 - Foundation - Statistics)

Topic:Scatter graphs

Specification references (in recommended teaching order)

Specification content Specification notes
S6
  • Use and interpret scatter graphs of bivariate data
  • Recognise correlation and know that it does not indicate causation
  • Draw estimated lines of best fit
  • Make predictions
  • Interpolate and extrapolate apparent trends whilst knowing the dangers of doing so

  • know and understand the terms positive correlation, negative correlation, no correlation, weak correlation and strong correlation


The subject content (above) matches that set out in the Department for Education’s Mathematics GCSE subject content and assessment objectives document.

The expectation is that:

  • All students will develop confidence and competence with the content identified by standard type
  • All students will be assessed on the content identified by the standard and the underlined type; more highly attaining students will develop confidence and competence with all of this content
  • Only the more highly attaining students will be assessed on the content identified by bold type. The highest attaining students will develop confidence and competence with the bold content.

Teaching resources

Scatter graphs - all resources for 3 year route map - zip folder
Downloadable resource in zip format. 14/07/2015
Topic overview and lesson plans
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015

Lesson 1 Activity 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 1 Activity 2
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 2 Activity 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 3 Activity 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 4 Activity 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 5 Activity 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 6 Activity 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015

Lesson 1 Worksheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 2 Worksheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 2 Worksheet 2
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 3 Worksheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 3 Worksheet 2
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 4 Worksheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 4 Worksheet 2
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 5 Worksheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 5 Worksheet 2
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 6 Worksheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 6 Worksheet 2
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015

Lesson 1 Homework sheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 2 Homework sheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 3 Homework sheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 4 Homework sheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 5 Homework sheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015
Lesson 6 Homework sheet 1
Downloadable resource in doc format. 14/07/2015

Diagnostic Questions - scatter graphs 1
AQA have teamed up with Craig Barton's Diagnostic Questions website to share free diagnostic question assessment for the 2017 GCSE Maths qualification.27/04/2017
Diagnostic Questions - scatter graphs 2
AQA have teamed up with Craig Barton's Diagnostic Questions website to share free diagnostic question assessment for the 2017 GCSE Maths qualification.27/04/2017
Diagnostic Questions - scatter graphs 3
AQA have teamed up with Craig Barton's Diagnostic Questions website to share free diagnostic question assessment for the 2017 GCSE Maths qualification.27/04/2017
Diagnostic Questions - sketching graphs 1
AQA have teamed up with Craig Barton's Diagnostic Questions website to share free diagnostic question assessment for the 2017 GCSE Maths qualification.27/04/2017

Anthropometric Data
Students consider a large set of data and analyse chosen variables using scatter graphs and other appropriate methods. Opportunity to use a spreadsheet for calculations.05/08/2015
Scatter graphs lesson - Be an Actuary
Full lesson plan and resources in which students plot information relating to earthquakes to determine the risk of living in a given area. This allows the opportunity for discussion of maths related careers. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 23/07/2015

GCSE Bitesize: Scatter Diagrams
A comprehensive summary of the topic of scatter diagrams, including drawing a line of best fit, types of correlation and rogue values. 23/07/2015

Anthropometric Data
Students consider a large set of data and analyse chosen variables using scatter graphs and other appropriate methods. Opportunity to use a spreadsheet for calculations.05/08/2015
CIMT Plotting Scatter Diagrams
An online exercise which looks at the plotting of scatter diagrams and the identification of types of correlation.23/07/2015
Correlation, Line of Best Fit: Monopoly Maths
Students investigate to see if there is any association between the distance from 'go' and the rent charged for various properties on a monopoly board. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 23/07/2015
Estimating from Scatter graphs Trasure Hunt game
A treasure hunt activity in which students use given lines of best fit to make estimations. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 23/07/2015
Scatter Graph Investigation
An investigation into any possible correlation between height and foot length - students state a hypothesis, collect and process data and draw a conclusion.23/07/2015
Scatter graphs lesson - Be an Actuary
Full lesson plan and resources in which students plot information relating to earthquakes to determine the risk of living in a given area. This allows the opportunity for discussion of maths related careers. You will need to register for a TES account to access this resource, this is free of charge. 23/07/2015

Spurious Correlations
A useful set of scatter graphs which appear to show correlation but in which there is a 'spurious correlation' - nice for discussion as a starter or plenary activity.23/07/2015

Spurious Correlations
A useful set of scatter graphs which appear to show correlation but in which there is a 'spurious correlation' - nice for discussion as a starter or plenary activity.23/07/2015

Scatter Graph Hat-trick
Worksheet in which students must plot points on a scatter diagram, draw a line of best fit and make predictions.23/07/2015

Hans Rosling's 200 years 200 countries 4 minutes - The Joy of Stats
A Youtube video which animates data on life expectancy and wealth and shows how it has changed over the past 200 years.23/07/2015

Spurious Correlations
A useful set of scatter graphs which appear to show correlation but in which there is a 'spurious correlation' - nice for discussion as a starter or plenary activity.23/07/2015

Collecting data - Body correlation - Lesson plan
Downloadable resource in doc format. 19/08/2010
Collecting data - Body correlation - Teacher Handout
Downloadable resource in doc format. 18/06/2010
Collecting data - Body correlation - Worksheet
Downloadable resource in doc format. 17/06/2010
Scatter Graphs - Correlation and lines of best fit - Lesson plan
Downloadable resource in doc format. 04/04/2010
Scatter Graphs - Correlation and lines of best fit - Powerpoint
Downloadable resource in ppt format. 03/04/2010
Scatter graphs - Homework sheet
Downloadable resource in doc format. 02/04/2010
Scatter graphs - Lesson plan
Downloadable resource in doc format. 05/04/2010

Topic Tests

8300 GCSE Foundation Frequency Tables Mark Scheme
Downloadable resource in pdf format. 07/10/2022
8300 GCSE Foundation Frequency Tables Topic Test
Downloadable resource in pdf format. 07/10/2022
8300 GCSE Foundation Scatter graphs and Correlation Mark Scheme
Downloadable resource in pdf format. 01/09/2022
8300 GCSE Foundation Scatter graphs and Correlation Topic Test
Downloadable resource in pdf format. 01/09/2022

Create, edit, and share assessments quickly and easily with Exampro Mathematics