In this activity, you will practice interpreting correlation coefficients and be reminded that correlation does not mean causation.

Go to tylervigen.com/discover. Using the drop-down menu, choose any variable you like to view possible correlations with it (click view variables and you will be taken to another drop down menu). You will find that things like precipitation in Missouri can be correlated with per capita consumption of eggs. Spend some time browsing through the correlations.

1. Find your favorite negative correlation. Write it down. What is the correlation (number)? Using words, what does that mean?
   • (In the above example, r = .62, meaning that as precipitation in Missouri increases, per capita consumption of eggs decreases).
   • Obviously, it is unlikely that precipitation in Missouri causes less per capita egg consumption, but there is a correlation. Why do you think this is?

1. Similarly, find your favorite positive correlation. Write it down. What is the correlation, and using words, what does that mean?

1. How might this exercise change how you interpret another correlation you come across?