Which correlation coefficient indicates a strong positive correlation?

A. [tex]r=-0.09[/tex]
B. [tex]r=+0.5[/tex]
C. [tex]r=+0.9[/tex]
D. [tex]r=-0.1[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which correlation coefficient indicates a strong positive correlation, let's review the concept of correlation coefficients.

A correlation coefficient (denoted as [tex]\( r \)[/tex]) measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables. The value of [tex]\( r \)[/tex] ranges from -1 to +1:

- [tex]\( r = +1 \)[/tex] indicates a perfect positive linear relationship.
- [tex]\( r = -1 \)[/tex] indicates a perfect negative linear relationship.
- [tex]\( r = 0 \)[/tex] indicates no linear relationship.
- Values of [tex]\( r \)[/tex] closer to +1 indicate a stronger positive correlation.
- Values of [tex]\( r \)[/tex] closer to -1 indicate a stronger negative correlation.

Now let's evaluate each option given:

A. [tex]\( r = -0.09 \)[/tex]
- This value is slightly negative, indicating a very weak negative correlation. It is not a strong positive correlation.

B. [tex]\( r = +0.5 \)[/tex]
- This value is moderately positive, indicating a moderate positive correlation. While it shows some positive correlation, it is not strong.

C. [tex]\( r = +0.9 \)[/tex]
- This value is very close to +1, indicating a very strong positive correlation.

D. [tex]\( r = -0.1 \)[/tex]
- This value is slightly negative, indicating a very weak negative correlation. It is not a strong positive correlation.

Among the given options, [tex]\( r = +0.9 \)[/tex] is the closest to +1, indicating the strongest positive correlation.

Hence, the correlation coefficient that indicates a strong positive correlation is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{r = +0.9} \][/tex]