10) Answer the question for the situation.

There is a correlation between a Major League Baseball team’s spring training dates and the amount of rainfall in that city during the same period. During the spring training dates the rainfall increased, and after spring training the rainfall dropped off.

​​​​​Which of the following statements are true? Check all that apply.

The strength of the correlation between the two quantities is probably hard to determine unless given the rainfall amounts.

High amounts of rainfall being normal for the area during springtime could be a variable influencing the correlation.

A value of -9.84 could be a reasonable slope for the function equation

There is causation between the spring training dates and the amount of rainfall in that city during the same period.

A value of r=.79 is a possible measurement for the correlation coefficient of this association.

1 answer

To analyze the statements provided in relation to the correlation between a Major League Baseball team's spring training dates and the amount of rainfall in that city:

  1. The strength of the correlation between the two quantities is probably hard to determine unless given the rainfall amounts.

    • True: Correlation strength is often assessed with the actual data points, so knowing the specific rainfall amounts would help in determining the correlation more accurately.
  2. High amounts of rainfall being normal for the area during springtime could be a variable influencing the correlation.

    • True: High rainfall amounts being normal for the area could explain the observed correlation, indicating that the correlation may be due to underlying climatic conditions rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
  3. A value of -9.84 could be a reasonable slope for the function equation.

    • False: A slope of -9.84 implies a very sharp decrease, which would be unusual without any context on the scale of rainfall and training dates. It does not seem reasonable based on the context provided.
  4. There is causation between the spring training dates and the amount of rainfall in that city during the same period.

    • False: Correlation does not imply causation. Just because there is a correlation between spring training dates and rainfall does not mean that one causes the other.
  5. A value of r = .79 is a possible measurement for the correlation coefficient of this association.

    • True: An r value of .79 indicates a strong positive correlation, which is plausible in the context of the correlation mentioned.

In summary, the true statements are:

  • The strength of the correlation between the two quantities is probably hard to determine unless given the rainfall amounts.
  • High amounts of rainfall being normal for the area during springtime could be a variable influencing the correlation.
  • A value of r = .79 is a possible measurement for the correlation coefficient of this association.