🖨 The Soccer Scout Report — Print Cards  ·  Cut along borders
IBDP Math AA · SL & HL · 4.4 · BTC Activity
1
What Do You See?
Scatter diagrams · Correlation · ~10 min

Task 1a — Describe & rank
Six soccer scatter plots are shown below.

For each: describe the relationship (direction, strength, pattern). Then rank all six from strongest to weakest relationship. Justify each rank in one sentence.

A Shots vs Goals
B Possession vs Pts
C Fouls vs Yellows
D Age vs Value
E Shirt# vs Goals
F Pass acc. vs Conceded
Task 1b — Invent a number

If you had to create a single number to measure relationship strength, what properties would it need? Write your answer on the board.

Task 1c — Find the trap

One plot would give a misleading result for any linear measure. Which one, and why?

Code to unlock Phase 2:SCATTER
IBDP Math AA · SL & HL · 4.4 · BTC Activity
2
Someone Already Invented It
Pearson's r · Regression y on x · ~12 min

Dataset — Youth Academy (n = 12)
x (hrs/wk)4566788910111213
y (m/s)6.16.46.36.87.07.26.97.57.47.87.98.1
Task 2a — Pearson's r by hand
Pearson's \(r\) is defined as \(r = \dfrac{S_{xy}}{\sqrt{S_{xx} \cdot S_{yy}}}\), where:

\(S_{xx}=\sum(x_i-\bar x)^2\) · \(S_{yy}=\sum(y_i-\bar y)^2\) · \(S_{xy}=\sum(x_i-\bar x)(y_i-\bar y)\)

Split the 12 rows across your group, sum the columns, substitute. Does your answer match the properties from Task 1b?

Task 2b — GDC check & interpret

Casio fx-CG50: STAT → CALC (F2) → REG (F3) → ax+b (F1). Read \(r\).
TI-Nspire: Lists & Spreadsheet → Menu → Statistics → Linear Regression (mx+b). Read \(r\).
Write one sentence interpreting \(r\) in context for the scout.

Task 2c — Mean point & regression line

Find \(\bar x\) and \(\bar y\). Plot \((\bar x, \bar y)\) and sketch a line of best fit through it. Then find the regression line of \(y\) on \(x\) with your GDC. Why must the line pass through the mean point?

Task 2d — First prediction

Predict the sprint speed of a player training 10 hrs/wk. Show the substitution.

Code to unlock Phase 3:PEARSON
IBDP Math AA · SL & HL · 4.4 · 4.10 · BTC Activity
3
How Far Can You Trust It?
Interpolation · Extrapolation · Two lines · ~13 min

Task 3a — Which predictions can you trust?
Using your regression line from Phase 2, make three predictions.

For each: state interpolation or extrapolation, and whether you trust it. Justify on the board.

  • Sprint speed for 9 hrs/wk
  • Sprint speed for 12 hrs/wk
  • Sprint speed for 25 hrs/wk
Task 3b — The reverse question

The scout wants a player who runs 7.6 m/s. Step 1: rearrange the y-on-x line and substitute. Step 2: find the x on y line via GDC (swap list roles). Step 3: compare both answers — are they the same?

Task 3c — Two lines

Use your GDC to find the regression line of \(x\) on \(y\). Plot both lines on the same diagram and answer on the board:

  • Where do they intersect?
  • Are they the same line? What is different?
  • Which should you use for Task 3b — and why?
  • When would the two lines be identical?
Code to unlock Phase 4:PREDICT
IBDP Math AA · SL & HL · 4.4 · BTC Activity
4
The Churros Conspiracy
Reading data critically · ~10 min

Dataset — Churros vs Goals (20 home matches)
Match12345678910
Churros (x)210185340290155410375230460310
Goals (y)1032143142
Match11121314151617181920
Churros (x)270195385440160325280500215355
Goals (y)2134032513
Task 4a — Run the numbers

"On matches when we sell more churros, the team scores more goals. We should sell more churros to help the team win."

Find \(r\), the regression line of goals on churros, and predict goals if 600 churros are sold. Write results on the board — no conclusions yet.

Task 4b — Question the claim

Discuss on the board: Is 600 churros interpolation or extrapolation? When do matches attract big crowds — and would those same matches tend to have more goals? What is actually driving both variables? Would the prediction hold for a quiet Tuesday match?

Task 4c — The verdict

Write a final recommendation. Include: the value of \(r\), whether the prediction is reliable, and the real reason the two variables appear to be linked. Should the sponsor invest in churros?

Code to complete:CHURROS