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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 FF at different speeds vv, in appropriate units, is recorded:

vvFF
00
42.5
85.1
128.8
1611.2
2013.6
2417.6
2822.0
3227.8
3633.9

(i) Draw the scatter diagram, labelling the axes clearly.

It is thought that FF can be modelled by F=a+bvF=a+bv or F=c+dv2F=c+dv^2.

(ii) Find, to 4 decimal places, the correlation coefficient between (a) vv and FF, and (b) v2v^2 and FF.

(iii) Use (i) and (ii) to explain which model is better.

(iv) Estimate vv when F=26.0F=26.0. Find a suitable regression line, use it for the estimate, and explain why neither regression of vv on FF nor of v2v^2 on FF 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 (x,y)(x,y) and summarises them as follows:

∑x=360,∑x2=21830,∑y=140,\sum x=360,\quad\sum x^2=21830,\quad\sum y=140, ∑y2=3500,∑xy=3985.\sum y^2=3500,\qquad\sum xy=3985.

Calculate the product moment correlation coefficient. What can you say about the relationship between xx and yy?

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 xxMonthly income yy (dollars)
724400
553550
654000
453000
603800
503200
422850
623950

(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 yy on xx.

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 xx in each three-month period for two years and the profits yy (thousand dollars) on those sales are:

xxyy
15290
17350
13270
21430
16340
22410
14300
18360

(i) Sketch the scatter diagram as shown on your calculator.

(ii) Find xˉ\bar x and yˉ\bar y and mark their point on the scatter diagram.

(iii) Calculate the regression of yy on xx 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 (x,y)(x,y) are given. Sketch a possible scatter diagram for each case: (i) correlation approximately zero; (ii) correlation approximately −0.8-0.8.

(b) Monthly earnings yy thousand dollars of seven workers of ages xx years are:

xxyy
182.55
202.65
222.85
273.15
354.76
455.45
556.26

(i) Sketch the scatter diagram as shown on your calculator.

(ii) Find the product moment correlation coefficient.

(iii) Find the regression of yy on xx as y=mx+cy=mx+c, with m,cm,c 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 NN thousand dollars per month. Without further calculations state the expected changes in mm and cc.

[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 xxExcess time tt (seconds)
193040.4
194036.4
195031.3
196024.5
197021.1
198019.0
199016.3
200013.1

(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 ln⁡t=a+bx\ln t=a+bx and predict the world-record time as at 1 January 2010. Comment on reliability.

[2009/II/6]

CJC · Discussion · Question 5

Solution

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