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8th grade Draw a line that fits the dots worksheet

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Draw a line that fits the dots

Grade 8 Math Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

  1. Ren drew a fit line through six dots on the guitar club's plot. How good is it? What is the total of the up-or-down distances from all six dots to the line?

  2. Tala rolled a toy car down a ramp at six heights and drew a fit line. What is the total of the up-or-down distances from all six dots to the line?

  3. Ari plotted six classmates' spelling practice against words spelled right and drew a fit line. What is the total of the up-or-down distances from the dots to the line?

  4. Esme measured nine park trees: trunk width and height. One tree is a very tall pine. Which ruler line is the best fit, and why?

    • Line A, because it is pulled toward every dot, even (30, 30).
    • Line B, because it joins the first and last dots.
    • Line C, because it stays close to every dot except the outlier (30, 30).
  5. Jun's play-ball club plotted practice rolls against how many of 20 rolls hit a target. One player had an amazing lucky day. Which ruler line is the best fit, and why?

    • Line B, because it stays close to every dot except the outlier (30, 18).
    • Line C, because it is pulled toward every dot, even (30, 18).
    • Line A, because it joins the first and last dots.
  6. Luz logged nine bike rides by time and distance. Is a straight fit line a good model for these dots? Which answer gives a good reason?

    • No, because the dots follow a curve that bends.
    • No, because 9 dots are too few to show a pattern.
    • No, because the dots do not all sit exactly on one line.
    • Yes, because the dots stay near one straight line.
  7. Milo recorded watering times and liters used for the school garden on nine days. Is a straight fit line a good model? Which answer gives a good reason?

    • No, because the dots follow a curve that bends.
    • No, because 9 dots are too few to show a pattern.
    • Yes, because the dots stay near one straight line.
    • No, because the dots do not all sit exactly on one line.
  8. Noah checked a cup of tea as it cooled, nine times. Is a straight fit line a good model for these dots? Which answer gives a good reason?

    • Yes, because a ruler line can go through the middle of any dots.
    • No, because the dots show no pattern.
    • Yes, because the dots change steadily from left to right.
    • No, because the dots follow a curve that bends.
  9. Pia's puppy got weighed nine times as it grew. It wiggled every time. Is a straight fit line a good model? Which answer gives a good reason?

    • No, because the dots show no pattern.
    • Yes, because the dots change steadily from left to right.
    • No, because the dots follow a curve that bends.
    • Yes, because a ruler line can go through the middle of any dots.
  10. Ren timed nine runners and noted their shoe sizes. Is a straight fit line a good model for these dots? Which answer gives a good reason?

    • Yes, because the first dot is lower than the last dot.
    • No, because the dots follow a curve that bends.
    • No, because the dots show no clear pattern.
    • Yes, because a ruler line can go through the middle of any dots.
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8th grade Draw a line that fits the dots worksheet – printable
Print: 123456

About this worksheet

Draw a line that fits the dots. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can tell whether a ruler line fits the dots: about as many dots above it as below, and all of them close.
  • I can say why the line through the end dots, or through the most dots, is not always the best fit, and let an outlier sit off the line.
  • I can add up how far the dots are from a line, and say when a straight line is a good model.

Standard: 8.SP.A.2

Words to know

fit line (line of best fit): A straight line through the middle of the dots, close to all of them.

above / below the line: The dot is higher / lower than the line at the same x.

up-or-down distance: How far a dot is straight above or below the line.

outlier: A dot far away from the pattern of the other dots.

model: A line or rule that describes how two amounts tend to change together.

linear / bends: Dots stay near one straight line / dots follow a curve.

Common mistakes

Your child compared the dots with the line correctly but counted the dots on the other side. Read the question's word together, above or below, and point to that side of the line.

Your child counted every dot instead of only the dots on one side of the line. For each dot, ask together: is it higher or lower than the line at that spot?

Your child saw the line needed to move but chose the wrong direction. Count together how many dots are above the line and how many are below, then move the line toward the bigger group.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with draw a line that fits the dots?

Your child compared the dots with the line correctly but counted the dots on the other side. Read the question's word together, above or below, and point to that side of the line.

Are these 8th grade math worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

More grade 8 math

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