11.8 - Causation vs. Correlation

Front

What is the difference between causation and correlation?

Back

Causation indicates that one event is the result of the occurrence of another event, while correlation indicates a relationship or association between two variables without implying that one causes the other.

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CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Front

What does it mean if two variables are correlated?

Back

It means that there is a statistical relationship between the two variables, but it does not imply that one variable causes the other.

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CCSS.HSS.ID.C.9

Front

What is an example of correlation without causation?

Back

The correlation between ice cream sales and drowning incidents; both increase in summer, but one does not cause the other.

Tags

CCSS.HSS.ID.C.9

Front

What is an example of causation?

Back

If you increase the amount of fertilizer used on a plant, it may grow taller; the fertilizer causes the growth.

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CCSS.HSS.ID.C.9

Front

What does a strong positive correlation indicate?

Back

It indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases.

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CCSS.HSS.ID.B.5

Front

What does a strong negative correlation indicate?

Back

It indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable decreases.

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CCSS.HSS.ID.B.5

Front

What does 'no correlation' mean?

Back

It means there is no statistical relationship between the two variables; changes in one do not affect the other.

Tags

CCSS.HSS.ID.B.5

Front

How can you determine if a correlation is significant?

Back

By using statistical tests such as Pearson's correlation coefficient to measure the strength and direction of the relationship.

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CCSS.HSS.IC.B.4

Front

What is a scatter plot?

Back

A scatter plot is a graph that shows the relationship between two quantitative variables, with points representing individual data points.

Tags

CCSS.8.SP.A.1

Front

What is the purpose of a line of best fit in a scatter plot?

Back

To summarize the relationship between the variables and make predictions based on the data.

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CCSS.8.SP.A.2