Xr04-72 One way of measuring the extent of unemployment is through the help wanted index, which measures the number of want ads in the nation’s newspapers. The higher the index, the greater the demand for workers. Another measure is the unemployment rate among insured workers. An economist wanted to know whether these two variables are related and, if so, how. He acquired the help wanted index and unemployment rates for each month between 1951 and 2006 (last year available).

Determine the strength and direction of the relationship.

(Source: U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.)