Final answer:
The relationship between high temperature and ice cream sales is likely a linear and positive correlation, meaning as the temperature increases, ice cream sales also increase. Correlation analysis can be used to determine this relationship, but correlation does not imply causation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether there is indeed a relationship between two variables, we can use statistical methods such as correlation analysis, which measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. A positive correlation suggests that as one variable increases, the other also increases; this is often shown by a straight line with a positive slope on a graph. When plotting data points, such as high temperature versus ice cream sales, if we see that higher temperatures align with greater sales and the points roughly form a straight line, we can conclude a linear and positive relationship. An example of a positive correlation could be between an individual's height and weight, where taller individuals typically weigh more. Conversely, a negative correlation implies that as one variable increases, the other decreases, like the relationship between tiredness and hours of sleep. Remember, the presence of a correlation does not imply causation; there may be other factors contributing to the observed pattern, as in the example of ice cream sales and crime rates increasing with temperature due to more people being outdoors in warmer weather.