What statistical concept refers to a situation where two variables move in opposite directions?

The concept that describes a situation where two variables move in opposite directions is known as negative correlation. In this context, when one variable increases, the other variable tends to decrease, and vice versa. This type of relationship indicates that there is an inverse association between the two variables, which can be visualized through a downward-sloping line on a scatter plot.

For example, consider the relationship between hours spent studying and the number of errors made on a test; as study time increases, the number of errors typically decreases. This demonstrates how a negative correlation can provide insights into how one variable can predict changes in another, emphasizing the importance of such relationships in statistical analysis and research.