Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches · Topic 4: Statistics and probability

SL4.4 — Linear correlation and regression (y on x)

Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes

1. Scatter diagrams and correlation

   Plotting bivariate data, describing correlation, and drawing a line of best fit by eye.

2. Pearson's correlation coefficient r

   What r measures, its scale from -1 to 1, and finding it with technology.

3. The regression line of y on x

   Finding y = ax + b with technology and interpreting the parameters a and b.

4. Prediction, correlation and causation

   Using the line to predict, the dangers of extrapolation, and why correlation is not causation.