In statistics, what does it mean if two variables have a high positive correlation?

When two variables have a high positive correlation, this indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable also tends to increase, and likewise, if one variable decreases, the other will likely decrease as well. This relationship suggests a direct association where the changes in one variable are mirrored by changes in the other variable.

This concept is foundational in statistics because it highlights how variables can be related to one another, providing insight into potential patterns or trends. A high positive correlation can suggest that the variables may influence one another or be influenced by a separate underlying factor that affects both.

In contrast to the idea of two variables moving together, a negative correlation would indicate that as one variable increases, the other decreases. The absence of a relationship reflects no consistent pattern or change in one variable in relation to changes in the other. Although outliers can impact the overall correlation, the correlation itself does not inherently imply causation or the influence of one variable on the other.