Scatter plots in Google Sheets - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the formula to select data for the X-axis in a scatter plot.

Google Sheets

=Sheet1!A[1]:A10

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1

B2

C0

D11

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Starting the range at row 2 skips the first data point.

Using 0 or 11 as row numbers causes invalid references.

The X-axis data range starts from row 1 in column A, so the correct reference is A1:A10.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the formula to select data for the Y-axis in a scatter plot.

Google Sheets

=Sheet1!B[1]:B10

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A0

B2

C1

D11

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Starting at row 0 is invalid in Google Sheets.

Starting at row 2 skips the first data point.

The Y-axis data range starts from row 1 in column B, so the correct reference is B1:B10.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the chart data range formula for a scatter plot.

Google Sheets

=SHEET1!A[1]:B10

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1

B0

C11

D2

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 0 as a row number causes invalid reference.

Starting at row 11 excludes data points.

Sheet names are case-insensitive but usually written as 'Sheet1'. The range should start at row 1 to include all data.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a scatter plot data range from columns A and B, rows 1 to 10.

Google Sheets

=Sheet1![1]1:[2]10

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AA

BB

CC

DD

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using columns C or D which do not contain the data.

Swapping the columns incorrectly.

The scatter plot uses columns A and B for X and Y data, so the range is A1:B10.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a formula that filters data points where X values in column A are greater than 5 for a scatter plot.

Google Sheets

=FILTER(Sheet1!A[1]:B10, Sheet1!A[2]:A10 [3] 5)

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1

B6

C>

D<

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using '<' instead of '>' changes the filter condition.

Starting ranges at wrong rows excludes data.

The FILTER function selects rows from A1:B10 where values in A6:A10 are greater than 5. The blanks fill the start rows and the comparison operator.

Practice

1. What does a scatter plot primarily show in Google Sheets?

easy

A. The relationship between two sets of numbers

B. The total sum of a data column

C. The average value of a dataset

D. The frequency of a single number

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand scatter plot purpose

   A scatter plot displays points representing pairs of values from two data sets.

2. Step 2: Identify what it shows

   It shows how two variables relate or if there's a pattern between them.

3. Final Answer:

   The relationship between two sets of numbers -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Scatter plot = relationship between two data sets [OK]

Hint: Scatter plots compare two data sets visually [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it shows totals or averages
• Confusing with bar or pie charts
• Assuming it shows frequency counts

2. Which menu option do you use in Google Sheets to insert a scatter plot?

easy

A. Tools > Script editor

B. Data > Pivot table

C. Format > Conditional formatting

D. Insert > Chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate chart insertion

   Scatter plots are created by inserting a chart from the Insert menu.

2. Step 2: Choose correct menu path

   Insert > Chart opens chart options including scatter plot type.

3. Final Answer:

   Insert > Chart -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Insert menu > Chart for scatter plots [OK]

Hint: Insert menu always has chart options [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Data or Format menus instead
• Looking for scatter plot outside Insert menu
• Confusing with script editor tools

3. Given data in columns A and B, what will the scatter plot show if column A has values 1, 2, 3 and column B has values 2, 4, 6?

medium

A. A horizontal line at value 3

B. Points forming a straight line showing a doubling pattern

C. Random scattered points with no pattern

D. A vertical line at value 2

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze data pairs

   Pairs are (1,2), (2,4), (3,6) showing B is double A.

2. Step 2: Understand scatter plot pattern

   Points will align on a straight line with slope 2, showing doubling.

3. Final Answer:

   Points forming a straight line showing a doubling pattern -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Scatter plot shows linear doubling pattern [OK]

Hint: Look for simple numeric relationships in pairs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming points are random
• Confusing line directions
• Thinking it forms horizontal or vertical lines

4. You created a scatter plot but it shows all points in a straight vertical line. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Y data column has identical values, X varies

B. Both X and Y data columns have the same values

C. X data column has identical values, Y varies

D. Data contains text instead of numbers

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand vertical line in scatter plot

   A vertical line means all X values are the same, Y values differ.

2. Step 2: Identify cause from options

   X data column has identical values, Y varies states X data identical, Y varies, matching the vertical line cause.

3. Final Answer:

   X data column has identical values, Y varies -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Vertical line = same X values [OK]

Hint: Vertical line means X values don't change [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking identical Y values cause vertical line
• Assuming text data causes vertical line
• Confusing vertical with horizontal line causes

5. You want to compare sales and advertising spend for 12 months using a scatter plot in Google Sheets. Which steps correctly create this scatter plot?

hard

A. Select sales and advertising columns, then Insert > Chart, choose Scatter chart type

B. Select sales column only, then Insert > Chart, choose Scatter chart type

C. Select advertising column only, then Insert > Chart, choose Line chart type

D. Select sales and advertising columns, then Insert > Chart, choose Pie chart type

Solution

1. Step 1: Select both data columns

   Scatter plots need two sets of data to compare, so select sales and advertising columns.

2. Step 2: Insert scatter chart

   Go to Insert > Chart and choose Scatter chart type to plot the relationship.

3. Final Answer:

   Select sales and advertising columns, then Insert > Chart, choose Scatter chart type -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Select two columns + Scatter chart = correct plot [OK]

Hint: Always select both data sets before inserting scatter chart [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting only one column
• Choosing wrong chart type like pie or line
• Not selecting data before inserting chart