document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1103730>Question 1103730</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Explain what is meant by a lurking variable, and provide an example. Why do we need to worry about lurking variables when analyzing correlation? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #718457 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><B>Alan3354(69443)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Alan3354><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=718457\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Explain what is meant by a lurking variable, and provide an example. Why do we need to worry about lurking variables when analyzing correlation? <BR>\n" );
document.write( "--------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I had never heard of that, so I looked it up.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Example:  In the summer, ice cream sales and sunburns increase.  One does not cause the other.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The lurking variable causes both:  The Sun and the increase in temperature it causes.<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );