Mississippi Math FA.S.43
The Standard
For scatter plots that suggest a linear association, informally fit a straight line and predict the equation for the line of best fit. (8.SP.2)
2025 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Mathematics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide whether a scatter plot has a roughly straight pattern. They draw a line through the middle of the points, estimate its equation, and use it to predict a value.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student draws a line with points on both sides. They use two points on their line to estimate the slope and y-intercept, then make a reasonable prediction.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students connect each dot or force the line through the origin. Others use two data points instead of points on their drawn line to find the slope, or treat a prediction as exact.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Plot (1,3), (2,6), (3,7), (4,8), and (5,11). Draw a fit line, write its approximate equation, and predict y when x = 6.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Plot study hours and quiz scores (1,55), (2,61), (3,63), (4,69), (5,71), and (6,77) on graph paper, then draw a balanced line.
Display two fit lines over the study-hours plot and ask students to write which one balances the points better and why.
Have pairs race to fit (1,5), (2,8), (3,9), (4,10), and (5,13), then compare equations and predictions at x = 6.
Use the study-hours equation to predict a quiz score for 4.5 hours of study, then explain why an actual score may differ.
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Printable FA.S.43 Worksheet
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