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Correlation & Causation

Maths: Edexcel GCSE Higher, topic 6.9.6

Correlation and Causation

Correlation means that there is a relationship between two variables. Causation means that changing one causes the other to change.

Causation

Causation

  • Correlation does not imply causation.
  • If two variables are correlated that does not mean that changes in one directly cause changes in the other.
Example

Example

  • The number of ice cream sales might be positively correlated with temperature but this does not mean that ice cream sales cause higher temperatures.

Test yourself on Correlation & Causation

  • Do these two variables have a correlation or a causal relationship?
    Time spent practising tennis & accuracy of tennis serve.

  • Do these two variables have a correlation or a causal relationship?
    Time spent practising tennis. Average daily temperatures.

  • Do these two variables have a correlation or a causal relationship?
    Lemonade sold & Average daily temperatures.

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