Answer:
D) I and IV
Step-by-step explanation:
The variable along the x-axis is the independent variable.
The variable along the y-axis is the dependent variable.
It would be fair to determine that the time spent reviewing a writing assignment is dependent upon the number of spelling mistakes, as the more mistakes an assignment has, the longer it should take to review, however we cannot say this for certain, therefore we cannot assign the dependent and independent variables.
If the scatter plot shows a negative linear relationship, then as the x-values increase, the y-values decrease.
Statements I and IV suggest a negative linear relationship only, depending on which variable is dependent and independent.
(FYI Statements II and III describe positive linear relationships)
Statement I
x-axis (independent variable) = number of spelling mistakes
y-axis (dependent variable) = review time
Statement IV
x-axis (independent variable) = review time
y-axis (dependent variable) = number of spelling mistakes
Therefore, as we cannot be sure which is the dependent variable and which is the independent variable, the solution is D.