Question

nqee cluster 11:
interpret linear models
standard: compute (using technology) and interpret the correlation coefficient of a linear fit. (s.id.8)
sales data
a store manager records the total visitors and sales, in dollars, for 10 days. the data are shown in the scatter plot.
what conclusion can the store manager draw based on the data?
a) an increase in sales causes a decrease in visitors.
b) an increase in visitors causes an increase in sales.
c) an increase in sales is correlated with a decrease in visitors.
d) an increase in visitors is correlated with an increase in sales.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze scatter plot trend

The scatter plot shows as total sales (x-axis) increase, number of visitors (y-axis) generally increases.

Step2: Evaluate options

Options a and b claim causation (invalid; correlation ≠ causation). Option c says sales increase correlates with fewer visitors (contradicts trend). Option d says visitor increase correlates with sales increase (matches trend).

Answer:

d. An increase in visitors is correlated with an increase in sales.