alleryStart learning →A residuals plot done correctly should appear:
AA clear straight line
BA perfect curve
CA repeating cycle
DRandom with no pattern
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Random with no pattern
1. The scatter plot and the residuals plot are read for different things.
2. While a scatter plot of the data should resemble a straight line, a residuals plot should appear random.
3. It should show no pattern and no outliers.
4. A pattern in the residuals means the straight line has missed something systematic.
_Source: OpenStax Introductory Statistics 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 12 'Linear Regression and Correlation', sections 12.1-12.6_
Keep practising Linear Regression and Correlation
Browse all Linear Regression and Correlation questions for AP Statistics, or explore more Statistics topics.
Related questions
Complete the regression rulesFit a regression line in orderTrue or false: regressionScatter plot or residuals plot?Match each regression termInterpreting the slope b in a fitted line means reading it as the change in y for:An outlier in a regression analysis shows up in a residuals plot as a point that is:Least-squares regression earns its name because the fitting rule minimises the sum of the