Question

Data is collected on the number of ice cream cones sold in a shop on a certain day and the number of people wearing sunglasses visiting the shop that same day. What type of relationship is most likely to exist between these two variables?

1. positive correlation and causal relationship
2. negative correlation and causal relationship
3. positive correlation but not causal relationship
4. negative correlation but not causal relationship

Answer 1

3. positive correlation but not causal relationship

Explanation:

A positive correlation is when one factor increases, the other factor increases as well.

A negative correlation is when one factor increases, the other factor decreases.

A causal relationship is when one factor causes the other factor change in a certain way (i.e. increase or decrease).

More people buy ice cream as the day becomes hotter and sunnier. This also applies to people choosing to wear sunglasses. Therefore, there is a positive correlation between the two (because both increase). However, this is not a causal relationship because the cause of both is the hotter and sunnier day.

I hope this helps! If you have any question, feel free to as. :)