Causation vs correlation

A professional hockey team has noticed that, over the past several seasons, as the number of wins increases, the total number of hot dogs sold at the concession stands increases. The hockey team concludes that winning makes people crave hot dogs.

What is wrong with the hockey team’s conclusion?

• It does not take into account the attendance during each season.

• It does not take into account the number of hamburgers sold during each season.

• It does not take into account the number of concession stands in the hockey arena.

• It does not take into account the number of seasons the hockey team has been in existence.

Tags

CCSS.HSS.ID.C.9

Susie gains more weight over Christmas than any other time of the year. Christmas makes Susie gain weight. This conclusion is

• justifiable, because Christmas is in December.

• justifiable, because Susie is happier at Christmas.

• justifiable, because everyone gains weight at Christmas.

• not justifiable, because there is another variable to consider.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

Five-year-old Samantha notices that, whenever her mother takes her umbrella to work, there is rain outside and she can't go out to play. One day she says, "Mommy, please put your umbrella away so I can go outside later!" Samantha is

• wrong in thinking that the umbrella causes the rainfall.

• wrong in thinking that the rain won't stop in time for her to go out.

• wrong in thinking that she can play outside any time it doesn't rain.

• wrong in thinking that there are no other umbrellas available for her.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

The Dudley family just brought home twins from the hospital. Their neighbor's baby was born on the same day as the twins. A reasonable conclusion is that the Dudley family will spend more money on diapers. Is this association positive, negative, or neither? Is the relationship more likely a causation or correlation?

• neither

• positive; causation

• positive: correlation

• negative: correlation

Tags

CCSS.HSS.ID.C.9

Countries that add fluoride to water have higher cancer rates than countries that do not. The conclusion that fluoride causes cancer is

• not justifiable, because the correlation may be weak.

• not justifiable, because there are other variables, such as age, to consider.

• justifiable, because there is an increase of cancer in more than one country.

• justifiable, because there is a complementary correlation between fluoride usage and cancer.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

Determine whether the statement is a correlation or causation.

"A basketball player was traveling when the referee called a penalty"

• correlation

• causation

Determine if the statement is a correlation or causation.

"Helium rises and a helium balloon floats"

• correlation

• causation

Determine if the statement is a correlation or causation.

"Male drivers and car accidents"

• correlation

• causation

Tags

CCSS.HSS.ID.C.9

Determine if the statement is a correlation or causation

"Yellow cars and a lower incidence of accidents"

• correlation

• causation

Tags

CCSS.HSS.ID.C.9

Determine if the statement is a correlation or causation.

"I was driving 75 in a 35 mile zone and I got a speeding ticket"

• correlation

• causation