Final answer:
The scenario where an increase in gas prices leads to less driving is an example of a negative correlation, where one variable increases and the other decreases.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the price of gas increases and we tend to drive less, this scenario exhibits a negative correlation. A negative correlation indicates that when one variable increases, the other variable decreases. In this case, as gas prices (one variable) go up, the amount of driving (the other variable) goes down. This negative correlation can be visually represented on a scatter plot where, as the line moves from left to right, it descends, indicating a negative slope.
Exploring this further, Figure 12.10 in your reference materials would show a scatter plot with a negative correlation, demonstrating that as the value of 'x' (price of gas) increases, the value of 'y' (amount driven) decreases. This relationship would be evident if we were to plot the price of gas on the x-axis and the amount driven on the y-axis. Additionally, your reference materials make it clear that a negative slope is indicative of a negative correlation, which is also applicable in economic principles where price and quantity demanded typically have an inverse relationship.