Question

match each scatterplot shown below with one of the four specified correlations. a. 0.17 b. -0.26 c. 0.62 d. -0.86

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze correlation sign

If the scatter - plot shows an upward trend from left to right, the correlation is positive. If it shows a downward trend, the correlation is negative. The scatter - plot in the image has a downward trend, so the correlation coefficient is negative. This eliminates options a. 0.17 and c. 0.62.

Step2: Analyze correlation strength

The closer the points in the scatter - plot are to forming a straight line, the stronger the correlation. A correlation of - 0.86 indicates a strong negative linear relationship, while a correlation of - 0.26 indicates a weak negative linear relationship. The points in the given scatter - plot are somewhat spread out and do not form a very tight linear pattern, so it represents a weak negative correlation.

Answer:

b. - 0.26