If a scatter plot shows points that are closely clustered together, what can you infer about the correlation between the variables?

If a scatter plot shows points that are closely clustered together, it suggests a strong correlation between the variables. This means that as one variable increases or decreases, the other variable tends to do the same in a predictable manner. The tighter the cluster, the stronger the relationship, whether positive (both variables increase together) or negative (one variable increases while the other decreases). However, be careful not to jump to conclusions about causality! Just because two variables are correlated doesn't mean that changes in one directly cause changes in the other. There could be other underlying factors influencing the relationship, or it could be a coincidental correlation. Always dig deeper to understand the dynamics at play!