Which of the following best describes a scatterplot's ability to show data trends?

A scatterplot is a powerful tool for visualizing data, particularly in its ability to illustrate relationships and patterns between two variables. When plotted on a Cartesian coordinate system, each point represents a unique combination of the two variables. This visual representation allows viewers to quickly identify trends, such as whether an increase in one variable corresponds to an increase or decrease in another. The arrangement of the points can reveal correlations, clusters, gaps, and outliers, providing insights into the data that may not be obvious from numerical summaries alone. It does not directly show absolute values without context, nor does it assert clear causation between variables. Additionally, while scatterplots can be used to explore the distribution of data points, their primary strength lies in showcasing the relationships among variables, making option C the most accurate description of a scatterplot's capabilities.