13.6 Correlation vs. Causation

Which relationship can best be described as causal?

What type of relationship exists between the number of pages printed on a printer 

    and the amount of ink used by that printer?

Which phrase best describes the relationship between the number of miles driven 

    and the amount of gasoline used?

 A study showed that a decrease in the cost of carrots led to an increase in the number of carrots sold. Which statement best describes this relationship?

Beverly did a study this past spring using data she collected from a cafeteria. She recorded data weekly for ice cream sales and soda sales. Beverly found the line of best fit and the correlation coefficient, as shown in the diagram below. Given this information, which statement(s) can correctly be concluded? 

          I. Eating more ice cream causes a person to become thirsty. 

         II. Drinking more soda causes a person to become hungry. 

         III. There is a strong correlation between ice cream sales and soda  

 sales.