Question

question 1 of 25
suppose the correlation coefficient between the number of college students in a city and the number of city buses is 0.89. which statement must be true?
a. having more buses in a city causes an increase in the number of college students because it helps students get to class more easily.
b. as the number of college students increases, the number of buses tends to decrease.
c. having more college students causes an increase in the number of buses because most college students dont own a car.
d. as the number of college students increases, the number of buses tends to increase.

Explanation:

The correlation coefficient measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. A positive correlation coefficient (in this case, \(r = 0.89\)) indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase. Correlation does not imply causation. Options A and C assume causation, which cannot be concluded from a correlation coefficient alone. Option B is incorrect because a positive correlation means an increase - not a decrease - in one variable is associated with an increase in the other.

Answer:

D. As the number of college students increases, the number of buses tends to increase.