Final answer:
The typical correlation between height and weight in adults is a strong positive correlation, whereby increased height is associated with increased weight, and this is quantified by a correlation coefficient close to +1.
Step-by-step explanation:
The typical nature of the correlation coefficient that is likely to be found between the height and weight of adults is a strong positive correlation. This means that, generally, as an adult's height increases, their weight also tends to increase. This type of relationship is represented by a correlation coefficient that is closer to +1, indicating a strong positive relationship between the two variables. For example, a tall individual is likely to weigh more compared to a shorter individual. The positive correlation between height and weight is seen because both variables move in the same direction; as one increases, so does the other.
It is important to remember that the correlation coefficient, denoted by r, can range from -1 to +1. A positive correlation is indicated when r is greater than zero but less than or equal to 1, and the closer r is to 1, the stronger the positive correlation. Conversely, a negative correlation is indicated when r is less than zero but greater than or equal to -1, and a correlation coefficient of 0 indicates no correlation at all.
The strong positive correlation between height and weight is seen in scatter plots where data points trend upward, forming a pattern that closely resembles a straight line ascending from left to right.