2.

CORE, FUR1 2017 VCAA 12 MC

FURMATHS: CORE, Data Distributions
Data collected over a period of 10 years indicated a strong, positive association between the
Correlation and Regression number of stray cats and the number of stray dogs reported each year ( ) in a large,
regional city.
Teacher: Dora Verrocchi
Exam Equivalent Time: 11.25 minutes (based on VCE allocation of 2.25 A positive association was also found between the population of the city and both the
min/mark for FUR1, and 1.5 min/mark for FUR2) number of stray cats ( ) and the number of stray dogs ( ).
During the time that the data was collected, the population of the city grew from 34 564 to 51
055.
Questions From this information, we can conclude that

1. CORE, FUR1 2013 VCAA 8 MC A. if cat owners paid more attention to keeping dogs off their property, the number of stray
cats reported would decrease.
The table below shows the hourly rate of pay earned by 10 employees in a company in 1990 B. the association between the number of stray cats and stray dogs reported cannot be
and in 2010. causal because only a correlation of +1 or –1 shows causal relationships.
C. there is no logical explanation for the association between the number of stray cats
and stray dogs reported in the city so it must be a chance occurrence.
D. because larger populations tend to have both a larger number of stray cats and stray
dogs, the association between the number of stray cats and the number of stray dogs
can be explained by a common response to a third variable, which is the increasing
population size of the city.
E. more stray cats were reported because people are no longer as careful about keeping
their cats properly contained on their property as they were in the past.

The value of the correlation coefficient, , for this set of data is closest to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
3. CORE, FUR1 2013 VCAA 9 MC 4. CORE, FUR2 2011 VCAA 2
The following data was recorded in an investigation of the relationship between age and Table 1 shows information about a particular country. It shows the percentage of women by
reaction time. In this investigation, age is the independent variable. age at first marriage, for the years 1986, 1996 and 2006.

a. Of the women who first married in 1986, what percentage were aged 20 to 29 years
inclusive? (1 mark)
b. Does the information in Table 1 support the opinion that, for the years 1986, 1996 and
2006, the age of women at first marriage was associated with years of marriage?
Justify your answer by quoting appropriate percentages. It is sufficient to consider one age
group only when justifying your answer. (2 marks)

VCE Mathematics examination questions reproduced by permission, VCAA. VCE is a registered trademark of the VCAA. The
VCAA does not endorse or make any warranties regarding this study resource. Current and past VCE exams and related
content can be accessed directly at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au.

Several statistics were calculated for this data.

When the data was checked, a recording error was found; the age of a 69-year-old had been
incorrectly entered as 96. The recording error was corrected and the statistics were
calculated.
The statistics that will remain unchanged when recalculated is the
A. slope of the three median line.
B. intercept of the least squares regression line.
C. correlation coefficient, .
D. range of age.
E. standard deviation of age.
Worked Solutions 4. CORE, FUR2 2011 VCAA 2
a.
1. CORE, FUR1 2013 VCAA 8 MC

b.

2. CORE, FUR1 2017 VCAA 12 MC

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3. CORE, FUR1 2013 VCAA 9 MC

♦ Mean mark 47%.