---
title: "Correlation vs. Causation"
description: "A statistical association between two variables does not by itself establish that one causes the other; a third factor, coincidence, or reverse causation may explain it."
last_updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Correlation vs. Causation

A statistical association between two variables does not by itself establish that one causes the other; a third factor, coincidence, or reverse causation may explain it.

*Example: Ice cream sales and drownings rise together, but cones don't cause drowning — hot weather drives both.*

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