Which of the following is essential for understanding a scatter plot?

The understanding of a scatter plot heavily relies on the axes being labelled, which is essential for interpreting the data correctly. Each axis represents a different variable, and without clear labels, it would be difficult to understand what each point on the graph signifies. Labels provide essential context that allows the viewer to comprehend the relationship between the two variables depicted. They clarify what each axis measures, such as time, temperature, sales, or any other two items being compared.

In contrast, plotting only the points without any labels may create a visual representation of data, but it lacks the necessary information for meaningful analysis. Connecting the points might be misleading in a scatter plot, as these points are typically independent observations and should not imply a relationship unless specified. Lastly, sorting data chronologically is not relevant in the context of a scatter plot, which is aimed at displaying the relationship between two variables rather than the order of data points. Thus, having labelled axes is paramount for understanding the information a scatter plot is intended to convey.