If we find that there is a linear correlation between the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and the global temperature, does that indicate that changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide cause changes in the global temperature?

a. No. The presence of a linear correlation between two variables does not imply that one of the variables is the cause of the other variables.

b. Yes. The presence of a linear correlation between two variables implies that one of the variables is the cause of the other variables.

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Mathematics

13 March, 19:50

If we find that there is a linear correlation between the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and the global temperature, does that indicate that changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide cause changes in the global temperature?

a. No. The presence of a linear correlation between two variables does not imply that one of the variables is the cause of the other variables.

b. Yes. The presence of a linear correlation between two variables implies that one of the variables is the cause of the other variables.

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Alfonso Diaz · Answer 1

Answer: option a.

The explanation is in the same answer. A linear correlation does not mean that one variable is cause of the other but that they move in the same sense, it might be due to a common different cause, for example.