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Which of the following would indicate the weakest relationship and thus be close to complete randomness?

a) Correlation coefficient of +0.95
b) Correlation coefficient of -0.15
c) Correlation coefficient of 0.70
d) Correlation coefficient of -1.00

User James Hart
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Final answer:

The correlation coefficient of -0.15 indicates the weakest relationship among the options and is close to representing no correlation between two variables.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the given correlation coefficients, the one that indicates the weakest relationship and would thus be close to complete randomness is b) Correlation coefficient of -0.15. The correlation coefficient, represented by the letter r, explains the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, ranging from -1 to +1, where -1 indicates a perfect negative linear correlation, +1 indicates a perfect positive linear correlation, and 0 indicates no correlation at all. In this case, a correlation coefficient of -0.15 is closest to 0, suggesting a very weak to almost non-existent relationship between the variables.

The number portion of a correlation coefficient indicates the strength of the relationship. As such, a coefficient of +0.95 (option a) reflects a very strong positive relationship, -1.00 (option d) is a perfect negative relationship, and 0.70 (option c) represents a substantial positive relationship. Therefore, option b, with a correlation coefficient of -0.15, is the closest to 0 and indicates the weakest relationship.

User Ted Warner
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