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Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisEasyMeaning of the y-intercept of a line of best fit

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

A line of best fit for a scatterplot is y = 0.5x + 20. What does the number 20 represent?

  1. A. The predicted value of y when x is 0Correct
  2. B. The increase in y for each unit increase in x
  3. C. The largest value of x in the data
  4. D. The number of points in the scatterplot

Answer: A. The predicted value of y when x is 0

The constant term is the value of y at x = 0.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The increase in y for each unit increase in x
That is the slope, 0.5.
C. The largest value of x in the data
The intercept says nothing about the data's range.
D. The number of points in the scatterplot
The intercept is not a count.

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