Question

data was collected on the sale of ice cream cones and air conditioners. it was found that when ice cream sales were high, air conditioner sales tended to be high. when ice cream sales were low, air conditioner sales tended to be low, and that when ice cream sales were high, air conditioner sales tended to be high. which statements are correct? a a correlation means that one event causes another event to occur. b we can conclude that sales of ice cream cones and air conditioner are positively correlated. c we cant conclude that selling more ice cream cones causes more air conditioners to be sold. d we can conclude that an increase in ice cream cone sales causes an increase in air conditioner sales. e it is likely that the increase in the sales of both ice cream cones and air conditioners are caused by a third factor.

Explanation:

Correlation does not imply causation. Just because two variables (ice - cream cone sales and air - conditioner sales) are correlated (when one is high, the other is high and vice - versa), we cannot say that one causes the other. There could be a third factor (like temperature) that affects both.

• Option A: A correlation does not mean one event causes another. So this is incorrect.
• Option B: Positive correlation means that when one variable (ice - cream cone sales) is high, the other (air - conditioner sales) is also high. This is a correct statement about correlation.
• Option C: We cannot conclude that selling more ice - cream cones causes more air - conditioners to be sold (correlation ≠ causation). So this is incorrect.
• Option D: Similarly, we cannot conclude that an increase in ice - cream cone sales causes an increase in air - conditioner sales. So this is incorrect.
• Option E: It is likely that the increase in both ice - cream cone and air - conditioner sales is caused by a third factor (e.g., hot weather). This is a correct statement.

Answer:

B. We can conclude that sales of ice cream cones and air conditioner are positively correlated; E. It is likely that the increase in the sales of both ice cream cones and air conditioners are caused by a third factor.