In a recent survey concerning company sales and net earnings, 15 companies responded with the following information. Sales Net Earnings Company ($ thousands) ($ thousands) CanTech Supply 56.6 2.7 XYZ Co. 13.3 -2.6 JenCo 48.6 -1.0 Apex Consulting 69.7 2.3 Cola Company 27.1 -3.4 SouthCo 40.0 -0.2 Softouch Co. 56.8 2.7 Capital Consultants 18.9 -3.4 SunBlush Technologies 73.4 4.2 JenStar 81.9 4.7 The Party Place 81.8 2.8 Text Tech 61.7 3.4 Antique Accents 84.3 2.6 Cantu Excavating 33.7 -2.9 DigiCom 87.7 3.0 a) Use a statistical calculator or spreadsheet to find the coefficient of correlation for the data. For full marks your answer should be accurate to at least three decimal places. Coefficient of correlation: 0 b) Based on the coefficient of correlation, which of the following statements is most appropriate regarding the relationship between company sales and earnings? Use ranges of approximately the same size to represent each of the statements. O There is a strong positive relationship between sales and net earnings. O There is a moderate positive relationship between sales and net earnings. O There is a weak positive relationship between sales and net earnings. O There is a weak negative relationship between sales and net earnings. O There is a moderate negative relationship between sales and net earnings. O There is a strong negative relationship between sales and net earnings