AP Statistics

Advanced Placement Statistics covering data analysis, probability, and statistical inference.

Basic Concepts

Correlation and Regression

Relationships Between Variables

Sometimes, two variables change together. Correlation measures how strongly they're connected, while regression lets us predict one variable from another.

What is Correlation?

  • A positive correlation means both variables increase together.
  • A negative correlation means as one goes up, the other goes down.
  • Correlation values range from -1 to 1.

What is Regression?

Regression finds the line of best fit through a scatterplot, allowing you to predict values. The most common is linear regression:

\[ y = mx + b \]

Real-World Use

Correlation and regression are used in economics, health care, marketing, and more to predict trends and make decisions.

Examples

  • A scientist finds a positive correlation between hours studied and test scores.

  • A business uses regression to estimate future sales based on advertising spending.

In a Nutshell

Discover how variables can be related and how to predict one from another.

Correlation and Regression - AP Statistics Content | Practice Hub