Which of these pairs of variables would you expect to be represented by scatteredplot with a positive correlation? A person's height and the person's grade on a test. The depth of water in a pond and the amount of rainfall. The number of miles driven and the number of people on the bus. The number of concert tickets purchased and the number of concert tickets still available for purchase.

1 answer

To determine which pairs of variables would likely show a positive correlation in a scatterplot, let's analyze each pair:

  1. A person's height and the person's grade on a test: Generally, there is no strong or consistent correlation between a person's height and their test grades. This would not be represented with a positive correlation.

  2. The depth of water in a pond and the amount of rainfall: Typically, as rainfall increases, the depth of water in a pond also increases, assuming no evaporation or water usage. This would show a positive correlation.

  3. The number of miles driven and the number of people on the bus: Generally, if more people are on the bus, the number of miles driven may not increase in a direct positive way; it could vary based on the routes taken and the bus's purpose. This would not be expected to show a positive correlation.

  4. The number of concert tickets purchased and the number of concert tickets still available for purchase: As more tickets are purchased, the number of tickets still available decreases. This would show a negative correlation, not a positive one.

Based on this analysis, the only pair of variables that would likely represent a scatterplot with a positive correlation is:

The depth of water in a pond and the amount of rainfall.