Correlation

AP Statistics· difficulty 3/5

A statistician asks whether the correlation coefficient r is resistant to outliers.

x (units) y (units) Outlier far from linear pattern

Which statement is correct?

  • A

    r is fully resistant to outliers

  • B

    r equals zero whenever outliers exist

  • C

    r increases when outliers are removed

  • D

    r is NOT resistant; outliers can substantially change r

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Explanation

Pearson's r uses means and SDs, both nonresistant; a single outlier can change r dramatically.

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