Final answer:
A correlation coefficient (r) close to 1 indicates a strong positive linear relationship, whereas r close to 0 indicates a weak or no linear association between variables. The coefficient of determination (r²) expresses the explained variability of the dependent variable by the independent variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the correlation coefficient, r, is close to 1, it means there is a strong positive linear relationship between two variables. This indicates that as one variable increases, the other also tends to increase. Conversely, if r is close to 0, it means there is a weak or no linear relationship, implying that the two variables do not show consistent patterns of association. A correlation coefficient can range from -1 to +1, with -1 indicating a strong negative relationship, where one variable increases as the other decreases.
It's important to remember that while r tells us about the strength and direction of a linear association, it does not imply causation. Moreover, the coefficient of determination, r², when expressed as a percentage, shows the proportion of variability in the dependent variable that can be explained by the independent variable via the regression line.