$($d$)$ Does a linear relation exist between compensation and stock$$ return? Does the explanatory variable appear to play a role in determining the response$$ variable?

The linear correlation coefficient is close to

$$

so

$$

linear relation exists between the$$ company's stock performance and their$$ CEO's compensation.

$$

Stock performance

The compensation of a CEO

$$

does appear

does not appear

to play a role in determining

$$

the compensation of a CEO.

stock performance.