If y decreases as x increases, what type of relationship exists?

When y decreases as x increases, this indicates a negative relationship between the two variables. In terms of correlation, a negative relationship means that as one variable goes up, the other variable goes down. This can be visually represented on a graph where the line slopes downward from left to right.

The characteristics of a negative relationship imply that any increase in the value of x will result in a corresponding decrease in the value of y. This is common in many situations where one variable exerts an opposing effect on another, such as in scenarios involving economic factors, where increased demand may lead to lower supply.

In contrast, a positive relationship would suggest that both variables increase together. No correlation indicates that there is no discernible pattern between the two variables, meaning changes in x do not consistently relate to changes in y. A direct relationship typically implies a linear relationship where both variables increase or decrease together, not the opposite as seen in this case. Therefore, the presence of a negative relationship aligns perfectly with the situation described.