📊 GMAT Exam Prep

A scatter plot displays the relationship between 'daily hours spent exercising' and 'resting heart rate' for a group of adults. The plot shows a general downward trend, but with significant spread around the trend line, and a few outliers with very high heart rates despite high exercise hours. Which conclusion is best supported by this data?

A Increased exercise causes a lower resting heart rate for all individuals.
B There is a negative correlation between exercise hours and resting heart rate, but other factors also significantly influence heart rate.
C The outliers indicate errors in data collection and should be removed.
D A linear regression model would perfectly predict resting heart rate based on exercise hours.

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

A downward trend indicates a negative correlation. 'Significant spread' and 'outliers' suggest other variables are at play, meaning exercise isn't the sole determinant and a perfect prediction isn't possible. Causation cannot be definitively established from correlation alone.

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