The number of grams of zero-calorie sodium in a restaurant meal is compared to the total number of calories in the meal. The correlation coefficient relating the two variables is 0.74.

A correlation coefficient of 0.74 is positive and fairly close to 1, so it indicates a strong positive correlation: meals with more sodium tend to have more calories. However, correlation alone does not establish causation, and sodium itself provides zero calories. Thus the best choice is “a strong positive correlation, and it is not likely causal.”

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