Question

Which relationship is likely ONLY a correlation and NOT one of causation? A) As the temperature increases, the number of air conditioners being used increases. B) As the price of a gallon of gas increases, the number of gallons of gas sold decreases. C) As the number of visitors to a park increases, the number of flowers in bloom at the park increases. D) As the amount of time a student spends studying for a test decreases, the student's score on the test decreases.

Answer 1

C) As the number of visitors to a park increases, the number of flowers in bloom at the park increases.

Explanation:

"An increase in temperature would likely cause the number of air conditioners being used to increase. Likewise, a decrease in the amount of time a student spends studying for a test would likely cause the student’s score on the test to decrease, and an increase in the price of a gallon of gas would likely cause the number of gallons of gas sold to decrease. However, would an increase in the number of visitors to a park cause the number of flowers in bloom at the park to increase? Probably not. An increase in both of these variables would likely be caused by the season. Therefore, the relationship that’s likely only a correlation is as the number of visitors to a park increases, the number of flowers in bloom at the park increases."

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Answer 2

Answer: The answer is (C) As the number of visitors to a park increases, the number of flowers in bloom at the park increases.

Step-by-step explanation: We are given four options out of which we are to select which relationship is likely ONLY a correlation and NOT one of causation.

Causation is defined as the determination of the cause or reason for some sort of phenomenon while a correlation is simply a recognised relationship between two things or events, but it does not imply causation.In cases of correlation, one thing or event predicts another.

So, in the options (A), (B) and (D), we can see both correlation and causation simultaneously, but in option (C), we can only see correlation, NOT causation.

Thus, the correct option is (C).