What type of correlation occurs when one variable increases as the other decreases?

What type of correlation occurs when one variable increases as the other decreases?

• A. Positive Correlation
• B. Zero Correlation
• C. Negative Correlation
• D. Co-Variables

Answer: (C)

This is a negative correlation. It means there’s an inverse relationship: as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. On a scatterplot, you’d see data points sloping downward, showing that pattern. The stronger the downward slope, the stronger the negative correlation (with values closer to -1). A positive correlation would show both variables moving up together; zero correlation would show no clear linear pattern between them; co-variables isn’t a type of correlation.

This is a negative correlation. It means there’s an inverse relationship: as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. On a scatterplot, you’d see data points sloping downward, showing that pattern. The stronger the downward slope, the stronger the negative correlation (with values closer to -1). A positive correlation would show both variables moving up together; zero correlation would show no clear linear pattern between them; co-variables isn’t a type of correlation.