Question

a study of several cities shows a positive correlation between the percent of people who swim outdoors and the number of barbecue grills sold. which statement is most likely true? barbecuing makes people want to swim. swimming makes people hungry for a barbecue. the correlation is due to a third variable: weather. the correlation is due to a third variable: cost of milk.

Explanation:

Correlation does not imply causation. Just because there is a positive correlation between the percent of people who swim outdoors and the number of barbecue grills sold does not mean one causes the other. A more likely scenario is that a third - variable (such as good weather) causes both more people to swim outdoors (because it's warm) and more barbecue grills to be sold (because people are having outdoor gatherings in good weather). The cost of milk has no logical connection to either swimming outdoors or barbecue grill sales. And the statements about barbecuing making people want to swim or swimming making people hungry for a barbecue are baseless assumptions without any real - world or logical support in the context of the correlation described.

Answer:

The correlation is due to a third variable: weather.