What is the correct answer?

Question

For the following pair of​ variables, state whether you believe the two variables are correlated. If you believe they are​ correlated, state whether the correlation is positive or negative. Explain your reasoning.

The outside air temperature and the altitude of aircraft

Choose the correct answer below.

A.

Positive correlation because the temperature decreases as the altitude increases

B.

The variables are not correlated

C.

Negative correlation because the temperature decreases as the altitude increases

Answer 1

At higher altitudes, the pressure decreases. This, in turn, causes the temperature to drop due to expansion. There is an inverse variation between altitude and temperature. Therefore, C is the correct answer.

Dr. V