Answer
Based on parts (a) and (b), a positive relation exists between the number of reported cases of Lyme disease and drowning deaths. However, it should not be believed that an increase in cases of Lyme disease causes an increase in deaths by drowning or vice versa. By carefully observing the data, we discover that temperature is the lurking variable here. With the rise in temperature in warmer times of the year, cases of Lyme disease increase (due to more ticks) and drowning deaths increase (due to more swimming). Thus Lyme disease are drownings are correlated, but this does not imply a causal link between them.
Work Step by Step
Given above.
