On a graph, if a line slopes upward from left to right, this indicates which type of relationship between the variables?

On a graph, if a line slopes upward from left to right, this indicates which type of relationship between the variables?

• A. Negative relationship
• B. No relationship
• C. Positive relationship
• D. Curvilinear relationship

Answer: (C)

An upward slope means the variables move together in the same direction: as one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well. That’s a positive relationship. If the line sloped downward, it would show a negative relationship (one goes up while the other goes down). If there were no clear pattern, it would be no relationship, and if the line curved rather than stayed straight, it would be curvilinear. So the upward slope clearly indicates a positive relationship.

An upward slope means the variables move together in the same direction: as one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well. That’s a positive relationship. If the line sloped downward, it would show a negative relationship (one goes up while the other goes down). If there were no clear pattern, it would be no relationship, and if the line curved rather than stayed straight, it would be curvilinear. So the upward slope clearly indicates a positive relationship.