What is the purpose of a scatter plot in data visualization?

A scatter plot is specifically designed to show the relationship between two continuous variables. It visualizes individual data points on a Cartesian plane, where one variable is plotted along the x-axis and the other along the y-axis. This type of visualization is particularly useful for identifying trends, correlations, or patterns within the data, as it allows for an immediate visual assessment of how the two variables interact with each other.

The clarity of a scatter plot in revealing correlations can help analysts determine whether an increase in one variable may be associated with an increase or decrease in another variable, thereby facilitating insights into potential relationships without implying causation.

In other contexts, summarizing data in tabular form, displaying categorical distributions, or conducting hypothesis testing serve different purposes that do not align with the fundamental aim of a scatter plot.