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Edexcel GCSE Statistics

Topic questions Statistics Regression lines

Regression lines

14 questions · 123 marks · about 2.5 hours

Regression lines questions

Edexcel 1ST0 Regression lines 14 questions

Paper 2 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 12 5 marks

The scatter diagram shows the marks each of ten students got for a Maths test and for a Music test.

Figure for question 12

One of these points is an outlier.

(a)

On the diagram, draw a circle around the outlier.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(a)
(b)

Excluding the outlier, describe the correlation shown in the diagram.

The outlier is removed from the data. The mean of the Maths marks is 52 The mean of the Music marks is 63

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(b)
(c)

Excluding the outlier, draw a line of best fit that passes through the double mean point on the scatter diagram.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(c)
(d)

30 students did both tests. The scatter diagram shows the marks of 10 of these students.

Suggest one adjustment that could be made to improve the reliability of any conclusions made using the scatter diagram.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(d)

Paper 2 June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 8 12 marks

Timur is investigating the heights and weights of rugby players. He collected data from the internet about the heights and weights of players from the Wales rugby squad.

The players from the Wales rugby squad are classed as Forwards or Backs. Timur draws a scatter diagram for the heights and weights of some of the Backs from the Wales rugby squad.

Figure for question 8
(a)

Explain why a scatter diagram is appropriate for the type of data Timur collected.

The data for three of the players was not plotted on the scatter diagram. The height and weight of each of these players is given in the table below.

PlayerABC
Height (cm)183183173
Weight (kg)958778
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)
(b)

Complete the scatter diagram by plotting the points for players A, B and C.

[2]
(c)

Describe and interpret the type of correlation shown by the scatter diagram.

The double mean point for the heights and weights of all of the Backs is (184, 92).

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)
(d)

Draw a line of best fit through the double mean point.

Timur also collected the heights and weights of players from the England rugby squad. He found the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for the heights and weights of the Forwards from the England rugby squad.

The correlation coefficient was 0.00

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(d)
(e)

Interpret this correlation coefficient in context.

Timur used statistical software to find the following information about the heights (x cm) and weights (y kg) of the Backs from the Wales rugby squad and the Backs from the England rugby squad.

Figure for question 8
[1]
(f)

Compare the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients and interpret this comparison in the context of the question.

Timur uses the information in the table to conclude that the weight of the England rugby squad Backs increases faster than the weight of the Wales rugby squad Backs as their height increases.

[2]
(g)

Assess the validity of Timur’s conclusion with reference to the statistical results.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(g)

Paper 2 June 2024 Higher tier, Question 9 10 marks

Researchers wanted to find a method to predict the height of ancient Egyptians based upon bones from their skeletons.

They calculated the Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient between the length of particular bones and the height of the skeleton for some male skeletons and for some female skeletons.

They also found regression equations for the relationship between bone length (x centimetres) and height (y centimetres) for each of these bones in male skeletons and in female skeletons.

The table gives information about these product moment correlation coefficients and these regression equations.

Figure for question 9
(a)

Which bone measurement would you recommend using to estimate the height of an ancient Egyptian? Give a reason for your answer.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(a)
(b)

Interpret in context the figure 2.594 in the regression equation for the humerus of male skeletons.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(b)
(c)

Use the regression equations to compare the relationships between bone length and height for the different bones. Include in your answer comparisons between male and female ancient Egyptians.

Dina suggests comparing the y‑intercepts for the regression equations.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(c)
(d)

Is Dina’s suggestion appropriate?

A museum has some bones that were recovered from an Egyptian pyramid.

The museum wants to predict the height of the ancient Egyptians from whom the bones were recovered.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(d)
(e)

Is it appropriate to use these regression equations to make this prediction?

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(e)

Paper 1 June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 5 6 marks

Jim is investigating the relationship between air temperature and altitude.

He has found data on the internet showing the average air temperature at different altitudes on one particular day.

The table shows the results he collected.

Altitude (metres)0100020003000400050006000800010 000
Average air temperature (°C)15.08.52.0–4.5–11.0–17.5–24.0–36.9–49.9

(Source: adapted from www.engineeringtoolbox.com)

He uses this information to draw the scatter diagram.

Figure for question 5
(a)

Describe and interpret the correlation shown in the scatter diagram.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram.

[1]
(c)

Use the scatter diagram and your line of best fit to predict the average air temperature at an altitude of 4400 metres.

Jim wants to predict the average air temperature at an altitude of 11 000 metres.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)
(d)

Discuss whether or not it is appropriate to use the line of best fit to make his prediction.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(d)

Paper 2 June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 11, also on the Higher paper 11 marks

Irina is investigating whether the percentage of the population of a country living in urban areas has an effect on the life expectancy in that country.

(a)

Suggest a hypothesis Irina could use for her investigation.

Irina collected the following information about 10 countries.

The Urban population (%) refers to the percentage of the population of the country who live in urban areas.

Figure for question 11

Irina used statistical software to draw a scatter diagram for the information in the table.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(a)
(b)

Give a reason why a scatter diagram is an appropriate diagram to use.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(b)
(c)

For this investigation, which variable is the explanatory variable? Give a reason for your answer.

The scatter diagram from the statistical software is shown below.

Figure for question 11
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(c)
(d)

Explain, giving a statistical reason, whether or not this scatter diagram supports your hypothesis in part (a).

For these 10 countries, the double mean point of the data is (63.9, 77.8).

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(d)
(e)

Using this information, draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(e)
(f)

Using statistical software, Irina finds that the gradient of the line of best fit should be 0.19

Interpret the gradient of the line of best fit.

Irina now finds that South Africa has Urban population 65% and Life expectancy 63 years.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(f)
(g)

Determine how this information for South Africa fits with the relationship shown in the scatter diagram for the other countries.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 11(g)

Paper 2 June 2022 Higher tier, Question 3, also on the Foundation paper 11 marks

Irina is investigating whether the percentage of the population of a country living in urban areas has an effect on the life expectancy in that country.

(a)

Suggest a hypothesis Irina could use for her investigation.

Irina collected the following information about 10 countries.

The Urban population (%) refers to the percentage of the population of the country who live in urban areas.

Figure for question 3

Irina used statistical software to draw a scatter diagram for the information in the table.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

Give a reason why a scatter diagram is an appropriate diagram to use.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)

For this investigation, which variable is the explanatory variable? Give a reason for your answer.

The scatter diagram from the statistical software is shown below.

Figure for question 3
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)
(d)

Explain, giving a statistical reason, whether or not this scatter diagram supports your hypothesis in part (a).

For these 10 countries, the double mean point of the data is (63.9, 77.8).

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(d)
(e)

Using this information, draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(e)
(f)

Using statistical software, Irina finds that the gradient of the line of best fit should be 0.19

Interpret the gradient of the line of best fit.

Irina now finds that South Africa has Urban population 65% and Life expectancy 63 years.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(f)
(g)

Determine how this information for South Africa fits with the relationship shown in the scatter diagram for the other countries.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(g)

Paper 2 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 12, also on the Higher paper 6 marks

Rachel collects data on the engine size (in litres) and the fuel economy during city driving (in miles per gallon) for each car in a sample of 61 cars of various types.

The scatter diagram was drawn for this information by statistical software.

Figure for question 12
(a)

Describe and interpret the type of correlation shown by the scatter diagram.

The statistical software worked out that the mean engine size for the 61 cars in the sample is 3.3 litres, correct to one decimal place. The statistical software worked out that the total of the fuel economies for the 61 cars in the sample is 1183

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(a)
(b)

On the scatter diagram,

(b)(i)

plot with a cross (X) the double mean point (maths symbol, maths symbol) of the data,

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

draw a line of best fit through the double mean point.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(b)(ii)
(c)

Rachel wants to predict the fuel economy of a car with an engine size of 7 litres.

Explain why it is not appropriate to use the line of best fit on this scatter diagram to find this prediction.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(c)

Paper 2 November 2021 Higher tier, Question 3, also on the Foundation paper 6 marks

Rachel collects data on the engine size (in litres) and the fuel economy during city driving (in miles per gallon) for each car in a sample of 61 cars of various types.

The scatter diagram was drawn for this information by statistical software.

Figure for question 3
(a)

Describe and interpret the type of correlation shown by the scatter diagram.

The statistical software worked out that the mean engine size for the 61 cars in the sample is 3.3 litres, correct to one decimal place. The statistical software worked out that the total of the fuel economies for the 61 cars in the sample is 1183

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

On the scatter diagram,

(b)(i)

plot with a cross (X) the double mean point (maths symbol, maths symbol) of the data,

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

draw a line of best fit through the double mean point.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(ii)
(c)

Rachel wants to predict the fuel economy of a car with an engine size of 7 litres.

Explain why it is not appropriate to use the line of best fit on this scatter diagram to find this prediction.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)

Paper 2 November 2021 Higher tier, Question 13 7 marks

A team of researchers investigated the time intervals between calls of tree frogs.

They investigated two species of tree frog: the Italian tree frog and the European tree frog.

They found that there was a correlation between air temperature, xmaths symbolC, and amount of time between calls, y milliseconds, for each of the two species of tree frog.

The table gives the equation of the regression line for the data for each of the two species of tree frog.

Figure for question 13

When x = 27, both equations give the same value of y, correct to the nearest whole number.

(a)

Explain what this means in context.

The equation of the regression line gives information about the relationship between temperature and time between calls for each of the two species of tree frog.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 13(a)
(b)

Using this information, compare the relationship for the Italian tree frog with the relationship for the European tree frog.

A second group of researchers investigated the relationship between temperature and the time between calls for a third species of tree frog. They also obtained the equation of the regression line for this species of tree frog.

The results of the different teams of researchers are to be compared.

[5]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 13(b)
(c)

Give one potential limitation of doing this.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 13(c)

Paper 2 November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 10, also on the Higher paper 10 marks

Mike is investigating whether or not there is a relationship between the distance from the nearest car park to a restaurant and the annual profit made by the restaurant.

He finds out the distance, in metres, from the nearest car park to a restaurant and the annual profit, in £, made by the restaurant. He does this for twenty restaurants in a city.

Mike then draws a scatter diagram for this information.

Figure for question 10
(a)

Explain why annual profit is the response variable for this scatter diagram.

Mike’s hypothesis is that, for these restaurants, the further the restaurant is from its nearest car park the less is its annual profit.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(a)
(b)

Explain, giving a statistical reason, whether or not the scatter diagram supports Mike’s hypothesis.

Mike wants to draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram. Using statistical software he obtains the following information about these restaurants.

Figure for question 10
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(b)
(c)(i)

Using this information, draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram.

[2]
(c)(ii)

Interpret the value of the intercept of the line of best fit on the Annual profit axis.

Restaurant A and restaurant B are two other restaurants in the city. Restaurant A is 250 m from its nearest car park. Restaurant B is 700 m from its nearest car park. Mike uses the scatter diagram to find an estimate for the annual profit of each of these restaurants.

[1]
(d)

Explain which of these two estimates will be the more reliable estimate.

Mike finds a positive correlation between the number of tables at a restaurant and its annual profit. He concludes that as the number of tables increases this causes the annual profit to increase.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(d)
(e)

Explain whether or not this conclusion is valid.

Mike reads an article in a newspaper that says that restaurant profits for the top 100 restaurants had fallen from £345 million to £125 million in the past year. (Source: telegraph.co.uk)

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(e)
(f)

Using the data in the newspaper article, calculate the percentage decrease in restaurant profits for the top 100 restaurants in the past year.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(f)

Paper 2 November 2020 Higher tier, Question 2, also on the Foundation paper 10 marks

Mike is investigating whether or not there is a relationship between the distance from the nearest car park to a restaurant and the annual profit made by the restaurant.

He finds out the distance, in metres, from the nearest car park to a restaurant and the annual profit, in £, made by the restaurant. He does this for twenty restaurants in a city.

Mike then draws a scatter diagram for this information.

Figure for question 2
(a)

Explain why annual profit is the response variable for this scatter diagram.

Mike’s hypothesis is that, for these restaurants, the further the restaurant is from its nearest car park the less is its annual profit.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)
(b)

Explain, giving a statistical reason, whether or not the scatter diagram supports Mike’s hypothesis.

Mike wants to draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram. Using statistical software he obtains the following information about these restaurants.

Figure for question 2
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)
(c)(i)

Using this information, draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram.

[2]
(c)(ii)

Interpret the value of the intercept of the line of best fit on the Annual profit axis.

Restaurant A and restaurant B are two other restaurants in the city. Restaurant A is 250 m from its nearest car park. Restaurant B is 700 m from its nearest car park. Mike uses the scatter diagram to find an estimate for the annual profit of each of these restaurants.

[1]
(d)

Explain which of these two estimates will be the more reliable estimate.

Mike finds a positive correlation between the number of tables at a restaurant and its annual profit. He concludes that as the number of tables increases this causes the annual profit to increase.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(d)
(e)

Explain whether or not this conclusion is valid.

Mike reads an article in a newspaper that says that restaurant profits for the top 100 restaurants had fallen from £345 million to £125 million in the past year. (Source: telegraph.co.uk)

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(e)
(f)

Using the data in the newspaper article, calculate the percentage decrease in restaurant profits for the top 100 restaurants in the past year.

[1]

Paper 2 November 2020 Higher tier, Question 8 13 marks

Here is a scatter diagram.

Figure for question 8

The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and the Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient are each going to be calculated for the data shown in the scatter diagram.

(a)

How would you expect the values of these two correlation coefficients to compare?

The Australian Government collected data on crop yields from fields. The data collected were the yield of wheat grown in a field, in tonnes per hectare (t/ha), and the yield of other crops grown in the same field (t/ha) in a different year.

The table gives the Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient for the wheat yield and the barley yield and for the wheat yield and the oats yield. The table also gives the equation of the regression line in each case.

Figure for question 8
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)
(b)

Compare the relationship between wheat yield and barley yield with the relationship between wheat yield and oats yield.

You should refer to both correlation coefficients and to the equations of both regression lines in your comparison.

This year Louise has a field planted with wheat. She wants to use the information in the table to decide whether to plant barley or to plant oats in the field next year. She plans to plant the crop which is predicted to give the greatest yield.

Louise solves the equation 1.24x – 0.30 = 1.52x – 1.05 She gets the answer fraction

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(b)
(c)(i)

Show that the answer Louise gets is correct.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Explain how Louise could use her answer to decide which of barley or oats to plant next year.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

Give a limitation of the data that could affect the result of Louise’s decision.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)(iii)

Paper 1 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 9 7 marks

Naomi recorded the weight, in thousands of tons, and the maximum number of passengers, in hundreds, for 11 cruise ships.

Naomi drew the scatter diagram below for her results.

Figure for question 9

One of the 11 cruise ships has a weight of 116 000 tons.

(a)

For this ship, write down its maximum number of passengers.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(a)
(b)

Draw a line of best fit on the scatter diagram.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(b)
(c)

Describe and interpret the type of correlation shown by the scatter diagram.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(c)
(d)

A new cruise ship is being built. The ship will have a weight of 170 000 tons.

Naomi plans to use the line of best fit on her scatter diagram to predict the maximum number of passengers for the new cruise ship.

Explain whether or not it is appropriate to use the line of best fit to make her prediction.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(d)

Paper 1 June 2019 Higher tier, Question 12 9 marks

Mr Singh collected data about the number of students in each of three classes in his school and the mean mark of each class in a science test.

The table gives some information about his data.

ClassNumber of students in the classClass mean mark
A2863
B3272
Cn55

Mr Singh plans to use one of the following two methods to work out the mean mark of all the students in the three classes.

Method 1 Work out the mean of 63, 72 and 55

Method 2 Given that Mr Singh knows the value of n, work out the weighted mean mark for the three classes.

(a)

For each of these two methods, assess whether or not the method is an appropriate way to work out the mean mark of all the students in the three classes.

Method 1

Method 2

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(a)
(b)

The weighted mean mark for the three classes is 64.1 correct to one decimal place.

Calculate the value of n.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(b)
(c)

The three classes have also taken a mathematics test.

Mr Singh thinks that there is a relationship between the science marks and the mathematics marks.

He draws a scatter diagram for each of the three classes.

For each diagram, he used the science mark, x, for each student in the class as the explanatory variable and the corresponding mathematics mark, m, as the response variable.

Mr Singh then used statistical software to find the equation of the regression line for the data in each scatter diagram.

Here are the equations.

ClassEquation of regression line
Am = 1.4x – 1
Bm = 1.2x + 5
Cm = –1.3x + 4

Mr Singh thinks that he has made a mistake with one of the equations.

Compare the equations of the three regression lines and explain which one is most likely to be incorrect. Explain your answer in context.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(c)
(d)

Mr Singh decides to compare the science marks, x and the history marks, y, of class A.

He uses statistical software to draw this scatter diagram and the regression line.

Figure for question 12

Find an equation of the regression line of this scatter graph in the form y = a + bx

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 12(d)

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