Question

For each part, describe whether you expect the variables to be correlated and whether thecorrelation is positive or negative. Identify the dependent variable if one exists.

Answer 1

Correlation means relationship.

a) During the winter, more heating is needed, this means that the use of heating fuel would likely increase during this period. Thus, there is a correlation. The use of the heating fule would increase if the temperatures are higher and vice versa. This means that the correlation is poitive. The use of heating fuel would depend on the winter temperatures. Thus,

Correlation Positive

dependent variabe use of heating fuel

b) The more the length of the road, the higher the cost. They increase in the same direction. Also, the cost depends on the length of the road. Thus,

Correlation Positive

dependent variabe cost of building the road

c) An aged farmer might not be able to cultivate a large area of farm. Thus, there is a correlation. They increase in opposite directions. Thus,

Correlation Negative

dependent variable area of farm

d) The sales of digital music players would increase with the increase in music downloads and vice versa. This means that there is a correlation. The sales would depend on the number of music downloads. Thus,

Correlation Positive

dependent variable sales of digital music players