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Correlation coefficient review

The correlation coefficient r measures the direction and strength of a linear relationship. Calculating r is pretty complex, so we usually rely on technology for the computations. We focus on understanding what r says about a scatterplot.

What is a correlation coefficient?

The correlation coefficient r measures the direction and strength of a linear relationship. Calculating r is pretty complex, so we usually rely on technology for the computations. We focus on understanding what r says about a scatterplot.
Here are some facts about r:
  • It always has a value between 1 and 1.
  • Strong positive linear relationships have values of r closer to 1.
  • Strong negative linear relationships have values of r closer to 1.
  • Weaker relationships have values of r closer to 0.
Let's look at a few examples:
Example where r=1, which is perfect positive correlation
Example where r=0.5, which is weak positive correlation
Example where r=0, which is no correlation
Example where r=0.5, which is weak negative correlation
Example where r=1, which is perfect negative correlation
Want to learn more about the correlation coefficient? Check out this video.

Practice problem

Match the correlation coefficients with the scatterplots shown below.
1
Scatterplot AScatterplot B
A scatterplot labeled Scatterplot A on an x y coordinate plane. Points rise diagonally in a relatively narrow pattern.
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A scatterplot labeled Scatterplot B on an x y coordinate plane. Points rise diagonally in a relatively weak pattern.
Scatterplot CScatterplot D
A scatterplot labeled Scatterplot C on an x y coordinate plane. Points fall diagonally in a relatively narrow pattern.
A scatterplot labeled Scatterplot B on an x y coordinate plane. Points fall diagonally in a weak pattern.

Want to practice more problems like this? Check out this exercise on correlation coefficient intuition.

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