SAT Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Practice Question 8 (Easy) | SAT Owl

Question bank / Two-variable data: models and scatterplots

Math · Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasy

A scatterplot shows the elevation $x$ , in thousands of feet, and the average July temperature $y$ , in degrees Fahrenheit, for $25$ towns. The line of best fit is $y = -3.5x + 68$ . Which of the following is the best interpretation of $68$ in this context?

A

The predicted average July temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for a town at an elevation of $0$ feet

B

The predicted decrease in average July temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for each increase of $1{,}000$ feet in elevation

C

The highest average July temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, among the $25$ towns

D

The predicted elevation, in thousands of feet, of a town with an average July temperature of $0^\circ\text{F}$

Show answer and explanation

Answer: A

In $y = -3.5x + 68$ , the constant $68$ is the value of $y$ when $x = 0$ . Here, $x = 0$ means an elevation of $0$ feet, so $68$ is the predicted average July temperature at that elevation.

Choice B describes the slope, $-3.5$ , rather than the $y$ -intercept.

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