Describe the error in the conclusion Given There is a linear

Describe the error in the conclusion. Given: There is a linear correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked and the pulse rate. As the number of cigarettes increases the pulse rate increases. Conclusion: Cigarettes cause the pulse rate to increase.

Solution

Correlation does not mean causation. There can be a lurking variable which can be responsible for this association. This is possible that smoking increases heart rate and heart rate increases pulse rate. So, heart rate is a lurking variable which is responsible for association between Cigarettes and pulse rate.