Quick Answer
The correct answer is a strong negative correlation. This is because the correlation coefficient, which always ranges from -1 to +1, measures both the direction and strength of a linear relationship between two variables. The sign tells you the direction: a negative sign means as one variable increases, the other decreases, which is exactly what we see between temperature and heating costs. The magnitude, or absolute value, of 0.85 is very close to 1, indicating a strong relationship—values above 0.7 or below -0.7 are generally considered strong in statistics. On the CompTIA Data+ DA0-001 exam, this question tests your ability to interpret the coefficient’s sign and strength, not just calculate it. A common trap is confusing a negative sign with a weak relationship; remember that -0.85 is just as strong as +0.85, only inverse. For a quick memory tip, think of the sign as the “direction arrow” and the absolute value as the “volume knob”—the closer to 1, the louder the relationship.
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of analyzing and modeling data. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A data analyst calculates a correlation coefficient of -0.85 between temperature and heating costs. What does this indicate?
No correlation
Why wrong: A value near -0.85 indicates a significant relationship.
Strong positive correlation
Why wrong: Positive correlation would have a positive coefficient, e.g., 0.85.
Strong negative correlation
The negative sign shows an inverse relationship, and 0.85 is close to -1, indicating strength.
Weak negative correlation
Why wrong: A value of -0.85 is not weak; it is strong.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Strong negative correlation
A correlation coefficient of -0.85 indicates a strong negative linear relationship between temperature and heating costs. As temperature increases, heating costs decrease significantly, and the magnitude of 0.85 (close to -1) confirms the strength of this inverse association.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
No correlation
Why it's wrong here
A value near -0.85 indicates a significant relationship.
Strong positive correlation
Why it's wrong here
Positive correlation would have a positive coefficient, e.g., 0.85.
Strong negative correlation
Why this is correct
The negative sign shows an inverse relationship, and 0.85 is close to -1, indicating strength.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Weak negative correlation
Why it's wrong here
A value of -0.85 is not weak; it is strong.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the misinterpretation of the sign of the correlation coefficient, where candidates confuse a strong negative correlation with a weak one or mistakenly think a negative value implies no relationship.
Detailed technical explanation
The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) ranges from -1 to +1, where the sign indicates direction and the absolute value indicates strength. In data analysis, an r of -0.85 means that approximately 72% (r² = 0.7225) of the variance in heating costs can be explained by temperature, assuming a linear model. This is critical for regression modeling, as it suggests a strong predictor for cost forecasting.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the DA0-001 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Analyzing and Modeling Data — This question tests Analyzing and Modeling Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Strong negative correlation — A correlation coefficient of -0.85 indicates a strong negative linear relationship between temperature and heating costs. As temperature increases, heating costs decrease significantly, and the magnitude of 0.85 (close to -1) confirms the strength of this inverse association.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This DA0-001 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DA0-001 exam.
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