Question

crm.dsr.6.7 distinguish between correlation and causation, and interpolation and extrapolation

1. which situation shows causation?

a. ice cream sales and drowning incidents both increase in summer
b. turning a key causes a car engine to start
c. students with bigger feet tend to be better at math
d. roosters crowing cause the sun to come up

Explanation:

To determine causation, we need a situation where one event directly causes another.

• Option a: Ice cream sales and drowning incidents increasing in summer are correlated (due to summer heat), but one doesn't cause the other.
• Option b: Turning a car key initiates the process (like activating the ignition system) that starts the engine, so this is a direct cause - effect relationship.
• Option c: Bigger feet and math ability are correlated (maybe due to age, as older students have bigger feet and may be better at math), but feet size doesn't cause math ability.
• Option d: Roosters crowing and the sun rising are correlated (both happen in the morning), but roosters don't cause the sun to rise.

Answer:

b. Turning a key causes a car engine to start