Question

which items represents a strong negative correlation?
-1---0-x---+1
-1---0--x-+1
-1-x--0----+1
-1--x-0----+1

Explanation:

To determine a strong negative correlation, we know that a correlation coefficient close to -1 indicates a strong negative correlation. So we need to see which "X" (representing the correlation coefficient) is closest to -1. Let's analyze each option:

• First option: -1---0 - X - -+1: The position of X is between 0 and +1 direction? Wait, no, let's parse the dashes. Wait, the format is like a number line from -1 to +1, with dashes as intervals and X as the point. Let's re - express the positions:
• Option 1: -1 --- 0 - X -- +1: So from -1 to 0 there are 3 dashes, then from 0 to X is 1 dash, then from X to +1 is 2 dashes. So X is closer to 0 or positive?
• Option 2: -1 --- 0 -- X - +1: From -1 to 0: 3 dashes, 0 to X: 2 dashes, X to +1:1 dash. Closer to positive.
• Option 3: -1 - X -- 0 ---- +1: From -1 to X:1 dash, X to 0:2 dashes, 0 to +1:4 dashes. So X is very close to -1.
• Option 4: -1 -- X - 0 ---- +1: From -1 to X:2 dashes, X to 0:1 dash, 0 to +1:4 dashes. Closer to -1 than 0 but not as close as option 3.

A strong negative correlation has a coefficient close to -1. So the option where X is closest to -1 is the one with strong negative correlation. In option 3 (-1 - X -- 0 ---- +1), X is only 1 dash away from -1, which is closer to -1 compared to other options.

Answer:

-1 - X -- 0 ---- +1 (the third option)