Correlation and linear regression
Practice section 3 of 6
Questions 13–18 in this collection
Practice questions
Worked example · 1 of 6
Compare linear and squared-speed models of drag
A car is placed in a wind tunnel. Drag force at different speeds , in appropriate units, is recorded:
| 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 2.5 |
| 8 | 5.1 |
| 12 | 8.8 |
| 16 | 11.2 |
| 20 | 13.6 |
| 24 | 17.6 |
| 28 | 22.0 |
| 32 | 27.8 |
| 36 | 33.9 |
(i) Draw the scatter diagram, labelling the axes clearly.
It is thought that can be modelled by or .
(ii) Find, to 4 decimal places, the correlation coefficient between (a) and , and (b) and .
(iii) Use (i) and (ii) to explain which model is better.
(iv) Estimate when . Find a suitable regression line, use it for the estimate, and explain why neither regression of on nor of on should be used.
[N10/II/10]
CJC · Lecture · Example 11
Solution
Discussion practice · 2 of 6
Calculate correlation from six summary values
A student obtains eight pairs of sample data and summarises them as follows:
Calculate the product moment correlation coefficient. What can you say about the relationship between and ?
CJC · Discussion · Question 1
Solution
Discussion practice · 3 of 6
Distinguish an income association from a causal claim
The monthly incomes of eight former classmates of 2T03 in CJC are tabulated against their Advanced Level Examination aggregates.
| Aggregate | Monthly income (dollars) |
|---|---|
| 72 | 4400 |
| 55 | 3550 |
| 65 | 4000 |
| 45 | 3000 |
| 60 | 3800 |
| 50 | 3200 |
| 42 | 2850 |
| 62 | 3950 |
(i) Obtain a scatter diagram and calculate the linear correlation coefficient.
(ii) Comment on the claim: “The strong correlation between a person’s aggregate in his Advanced Level Examination and his subsequent monthly income shows that good results determine one’s income.”
(iii) Find the regression line of on .
CJC · Discussion · Question 2
Solution
Discussion practice · 4 of 6
Fit crane profits and assess a sales target
An engineering company makes cranes. The numbers sold in each three-month period for two years and the profits (thousand dollars) on those sales are:
| 15 | 290 |
| 17 | 350 |
| 13 | 270 |
| 21 | 430 |
| 16 | 340 |
| 22 | 410 |
| 14 | 300 |
| 18 | 360 |
(i) Sketch the scatter diagram as shown on your calculator.
(ii) Find and and mark their point on the scatter diagram.
(iii) Calculate the regression of on and draw it on the scatter diagram.
(iv) Calculate the product moment correlation coefficient and comment on it in relation to the scatter.
(v) Estimate the profit corresponding to a target of 20 cranes for the next three-month period.
(vi) Comment on the validity of using the regression from (iii) to predict profit if 40 cranes were sold in a three-month period.
[2008/H1/I/11]
CJC · Discussion · Question 3
Solution
Discussion practice · 5 of 6
Sketch possible correlations and model monthly earnings
(a) Eight pairs of measured values are given. Sketch a possible scatter diagram for each case: (i) correlation approximately zero; (ii) correlation approximately .
(b) Monthly earnings thousand dollars of seven workers of ages years are:
| 18 | 2.55 |
| 20 | 2.65 |
| 22 | 2.85 |
| 27 | 3.15 |
| 35 | 4.76 |
| 45 | 5.45 |
| 55 | 6.26 |
(i) Sketch the scatter diagram as shown on your calculator.
(ii) Find the product moment correlation coefficient.
(iii) Find the regression of on as , with correct to 4 decimal places.
(iv) Estimate monthly earnings of a 40-year-old worker. State why you would expect the estimate to be reliable.
(v) Every worker receives an increase of thousand dollars per month. Without further calculations state the expected changes in and .
[2010/H1/I/11]
CJC · Discussion · Question 4
Solution
Discussion practice · 6 of 6
Predict a record time without rounding away the result
The table gives world-record one-mile times, measured in seconds above 3 minutes 30 seconds, as at 1 January in various years.
| Year | Excess time (seconds) |
|---|---|
| 1930 | 40.4 |
| 1940 | 36.4 |
| 1950 | 31.3 |
| 1960 | 24.5 |
| 1970 | 21.1 |
| 1980 | 19.0 |
| 1990 | 16.3 |
| 2000 | 13.1 |
(i) Draw a scatter diagram.
(ii) Refer to both the scatter and context to comment on whether a linear model is appropriate.
(iii) Explain why a quadratic model would probably be inappropriate for long-term predictions.
(iv) Fit and predict the world-record time as at 1 January 2010. Comment on reliability.
[2009/II/6]
CJC · Discussion · Question 5