Question

From the list below, select the most likely correlation coefficient for the graphed data.

A. −0.1
B. −0.8
C. 0.8
D. 0.1

Answer 1

C

Explanation:

First of all,

• if the line goes Upward (from left to right), it is sloping upward and the correlation coefficient would be POSITIVE.
• If the line goes Downward (from left to right), it is sloping downward and the correlation coefficient would be NEGATIVE.

Since, from the graph we can see that the line is sloping upward, we know the correlation coefficient would be POSITIVE, so we can immediately eliminate choices A & B.

Now, the closer the correlation coefficient value is to 0, the less steep the line is. The closer it is to 1, the more steeper it is.

Looking at the graph, it isn't that flat, it is quite steep. So the correlation coefficient would be 0.8, NOT 0.1

So, answer choice C is right.