In: Statistics and Probability
State whether each of the following is an example of a positive correlation or a negative correlation.
a. Higher education level is associated with a larger annual income.
b. Increased testosterone is associated with increased aggression.
c. The smaller the class size, the more students believe they are receiving a quality education.
d. Rising prices of apples are associated with the sale of fewer apples.
a) Higher education level is associated with a larger annual income. Here both variable are increasing therefore this is an example of positive correlation.
b) Increased testosterone is associated with increased aggression. This is an example of positive correlation.
c) The smaller the class size, the more students believe they are receiving a quality education. Here one variable increases as other variable decreases therefore this is an example of negative correlation.
d) Rising prices of apples are associated with the sale of fewer apples. This is an example of negative correlation.
Note:
1) Positive correlation: A correlation in the same direction is called a positive correlation. If one variable increases the other also increases and when one variable decreases the other also decreases.
2) Neegative correlation : Correlation in the opposite direction is called a negative correlation. Here if one variable increases the other decreases and vice versa.