All courses Math I · S-ID.8 58 of 59
Use technology to compute and interpret the correlation coefficient of a linear fit.

Interpret the sign of the correlation coefficient r for a linear fit

Problem
Classify and interpret the linear direction for r=0.78 using the rule that |r|<0.10 is effectively no linear direction. State the x-y tendency without making a causal claim.
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Hint

Record the sign, then compare |r| with0.10.

The sign gives direction only after applying the stated near-zero rule; sign does not give strength or causation.

Solution walkthrough

01

Apply the near-zero rule

\[|r|=|0.78|=0.78>0.10\]

The magnitude is well above the threshold, so the direction is not treated as effectively absent.

02

Read the sign

\[r=0.78>0,~\text{so}~\text{direction}~\text{is}~\text{positive}\]

A positive correlation coefficient describes an upward linear tendency.

03

Translate without causation

\[\text{as}~x~\text{increases},~y~\text{tends}~\text{to}~\text{increase}\]

Correlation describes association and does not prove that changing x causes y to change.

04

State the interpretation

\[\text{The}~\text{correlation}~\text{has}~a~\text{positive}~\text{linear}~\text{direction},~\text{so}~\text{as}~x~\text{increases},~y~\text{tends}~\text{to}~\text{increase}.\]

This applies the threshold, direction, and noncausal tendency correctly.

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Another way

  1. Imagine a point cloud rising from left to right; that is the direction encoded by positive r.

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Common mistake

Do not treat positive as perfect or causal; sign gives direction, not strength or cause.