8.5.D

Math8th Grade

The Standard

use a trend line that approximates the linear relationship between bivariate sets of data to make predictions

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Mathematics

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do

Students read the overall direction in a scatter plot and use a reasonable straight line to estimate one variable from the other. They make estimates inside and outside the observed data range, then describe why some predictions are less reliable.

What Mastery Looks Like

A student places a reasonable line through the center of a roughly linear scatter plot, with points balanced above and below. The student reads estimated values from the line and explains why estimates within the data range are usually more reliable.

Common Misconceptions

Students may connect individual points instead of following the overall pattern. They may force the line through the origin or expect every estimate to be exact. They may trust estimates far outside the data range or assume one variable causes the other.

How to Assess It

Give students a scatter plot with a drawn trend line. Ask, "Estimate y when x = 7 and x = 14. Which estimate is more reliable, and why?"

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Plot class hand-span and height data on sticky notes, place a string trend line, then predict height for a new hand span.

  2. Write: Which prediction is more trustworthy, one inside the data range or one far outside it, and why?

  3. Play Prediction Match: teams pair input cards with estimated output cards by reading several scatter plots and their trend lines.

  4. Use a trend line from temperature and electricity-use data to estimate household demand on a hotter day.

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