If the correlation between physical weight and reading ability of children is +0.85, what does this imply?

A correlation of +0.85 indicates a strong positive relationship between the two variables—in this case, physical weight and reading ability. This suggests that as one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well. Therefore, if we interpret this correlation, it implies that children who have greater physical weight are also likely to have better reading abilities.

This strong positive correlation does not convey causation; it merely points to a tendency. The principle behind the correlation does not mean that increased physical weight directly causes improved reading skills or vice versa. Instead, it highlights a significant relationship that may warrant further exploration to understand the underlying factors that could influence both variables. The nature of the correlation might be the result of various contributing factors, such as socioeconomic status or development patterns, which could simultaneously influence both weight and cognitive skills.