Data was collected from a sample of 39 trees with diameters between 10 and 28 inches. A regression analysis was run to determine if there is a relationship between the diameter of a tree (x, in inches) and the tree's age (y, in years). The results of the regression are given below.
y = ax + b
a = 7.09
b = 1.053
r² = 0.278
r = 0.527
What is the value of the linear correlation coefficient?
Comment on the strength of the linear relationship between diameter and age.
a. There is a strong positive linear correlation
b. There is a modest positive linear correlation
c. There is (almost) no linear correlation
d. There is a modest negative linear correlation
e. There is a strong negative linear correlation