Question

When fertilizer was added to one plant and nothing was added to another plant, there was a noticeable difference in the color of the leaves of the plants.

Which of the following best describes the situation?

This is an example of correlation but not causation.
This is an example of causation but not correlation.
This is an example of both correlation and causation.
This is an example of neither correlation nor causation.

Answer 1

I need help understanding it and how to find the answer, not just an answer please!

Answer 2

Well, correlation is when two things seem to happen together, while causation is when one thing makes another thing occur.

Answer 3

So for instance, when I use an umbrella, I often am wearing a raincoat. That is a correlation but not a causation, the causation in that case would be the rain.

Answer 4

In general all causations of something will have a correlation with it, but not all things that correlate are a causation.

Answer 5

There is definitely a correlation in your example, and assuming as in a good experiment nothing else changed in the environment it is probably also a causation.

Answer 6

Ok so, C? @Evoker

Answer 7

Hmm, this is always a bit of tricky one to answer, I am leaning towards C but it could also be A, just know for certain it is not B or D.

Answer 8

Someone could say that the causation is a specific chemical in the fertilizer and not the fertilizer in total for instance.

Answer 9

But that is probably being nit picky I would go with C.

Answer 10

Now can someone help me understand Corelation coefficient? Thanks!

Answer 11

And @Evoker I am completely stupid and selected a.. -_- C was correct.

Answer 12

@Evoker

Answer 13

The correlation coefficient, is a number that describe if there is a positive or negative correlation and in a sense how good of a correlation, in essence how linear a line is.