Which of these pairs of variables would you expect to be represented by a scatterplot with a negative correlation? (1 point) Responses the weight of a package and the cost to mail the package the weight of a package and the cost to mail the package the amount of gas in the tank of a car and the number of miles driven the amount of gas in the tank of a car and the number of miles driven the cost of a car and the number of tires it has the cost of a car and the number of tires it has the cost a telephone call and the length of the call

1 answer

A scatterplot with a negative correlation would be expected for the pair of variables: the amount of gas in the tank of a car and the number of miles driven. As the amount of gas in the tank decreases (i.e., the tank gets emptier), typically the number of miles driven decreases as well, leading to a negative correlation.

The other pairs either have a positive correlation or are not likely to be correlated in the same manner. For instance, the cost of mailing a package tends to increase with weight (positive correlation), the cost of a car might increase with the number of tires (positive correlation), and the cost of a telephone call generally increases with the length of the call (positive correlation).