The Scatter Plot command can be accessed from the Independence sub menu of the Statistics menu.
The Scatter Plot command plots adjacent points in the sequence of input data against each other. Thus, each plotted point represents a pair of data points, [Xi+1, Xi]. This is repeated for all pairs of adjacent data points. If the input data points are somewhat dependent on each other, then this plot will exhibit that dependence. Time series, where the current data point may depend on the nearest previous value(s), will show that pattern here as a structured curve rather than a seemingly independent scatter of points. While the Auto correlation gives a more complete answer, this plot can quickly show strongly dependent behavior.
As an example, the two plots shown below are 1000 random variates from a distribution before and after sorting. Sorting the data gives the direct appearance of linear dependence for this distribution.
As with all graphs in Stat::Fit, the Scatter Plot may be customized by using the Graphics Style dialog in the Graphics menu. The graphs may also be copied to the Clipboard or saved as graphic files [.BMP] by using the Copy or Save As commands in the Graphics menu. Note that , while the graph view currently open can still be modified, the copied or saved version is a fixed bitmap.
For large data sets, this plot can take a while to get to the screen. The screen redrawing can be improved by viewing this plot and closing it thereafter.
