Final answer:
The false statement is 'A scatter plot of the data displays an upward-sloping pattern when moving from left to right.' With a correlation of -0.85, which indicates a strong negative relationship, the scatter plot would display a downward-sloping pattern as x increases.
Step-by-step explanation:
If we suppose x and y have a correlation of -0.85, we need to identify which statement is false:
- The slope of the regression with x and y would be negative.
- A scatter plot of the data displays an upward-sloping pattern when moving from left to right.
- As x increases, y tends to decrease.
- The variables x and y are strongly related.
A negative correlation value, such as -0.85, indicates a strong negative relationship between x and y. This means:
- The slope of the regression line would indeed be negative.
- As x increases, y tends to decrease.
- x and y are strongly related, given the close value to -1.0.
Thus, the false statement is:
A scatter plot of the data displays an upward-sloping pattern when moving from left to right.
In fact, with a negative correlation, the pattern would be a downward slope as x increases. Hence, the correct pattern for this strong negative correlation would be a downward-sloping line on the scatter plot.