Cool Down
For each pair of variables, decide whether there is:
- a very weak or no relationship
- a strong relationship that is not a causal relationship
- a causal relationship
Be prepared to show your reasoning.
Number of snow plows owned by a city and mitten sales in the city
A strong relationship that is not a causal relationship.
Explain the reasoning for your answer to question 1.
Compare your answer:
Your answer may vary, but here is a sample.
A strong relationship that is not a causal relationship. The variables are related since cities with more snow plows will probably also have high sales of mittens compared to places with fewer snow plows. The climate, number of people living in the city, and amount of snow all affect both of these variables. A city having extra snow plows would not cause people to buy more mittens, nor would the reverse happen.
Number of text messages sent per day by a person and number of shirts owned by the person.
A very weak or no relationship.
Explain the reasoning for your answer to question 3.
Compare your answer:
Your answer may vary, but here is a sample.
A very weak or no relationship. These variables seem unrelated, and there is not another variable like age or wealth that would seem to be related to both of these variables consistently.
Price of a pizza and number of calories in the pizza
A strong relationship that is not a causal relationship.
Explain the reasoning for your answer to question 5.
Compare your answer:
Your answer may vary, but here is a sample.
A strong relationship that is not a causal relationship. The variables are related since a more expensive pizza will generally be larger or have more toppings, leading to more calories, but it is the size or number of toppings that is the cause for the increase in both variables.
Amount of gas used on a trip and number of miles driven on the trip
A causal relationship.
Explain the reasoning for your answer to question 7.
Compare your answer:
Your answer may vary, but here is a sample.
Causal relationship. Longer trips will cause greater gas consumption, and shorter trips will require less gas.
Video: Determining the Type of Relationship
Watch the following video to learn more about using the term causal relationship.