The scatterplot shows the median starting salaries and the median mid-career salaries for graduates at a selection of colleges.

a. As the data are graphed, which is the independent and which the dependent variable?
b. Why do you suppose median salary at a school is used instead of the mean?
c. Using the graph, estimate the median mid-career salary for a median starting salary of $60,000.
d. Use the equation to predict the median mid-career salary for a median starting salary of $60,000.
e. What other factors besides starting salary might influence mid-career salary?

Mid-Career-76991.989 Start Med 150 125 O 100 75 50 30 9 40 50 60 70 80 Start Median Salary (thousands of dollars per year)