What is a scatter plot, and why is it used in data analysis?

A scatter plot is a graphical representation that displays the relationship between two quantitative variables. Each point on the plot corresponds to one observation in the data set, with its position determined by the values of the two variables being compared—typically plotted along the X-axis and Y-axis. This visual representation helps analysts quickly identify patterns, trends, and correlations between the variables. For instance, it can reveal whether an increase in one variable may be associated with an increase or decrease in another, which is crucial in fields such as statistics, data analysis, and research.

Using a scatter plot, analysts can also detect outliers, clusters, or even the nature of the relationship (linear or non-linear) between the variables. This makes it an essential tool in exploratory data analysis and hypothesis testing, as it provides a clear visual summary that complements numerical data.