These data list the number of bound volumes, the annual circulation (the number of books that are checked out), and the annual operating cost for randomly selected public libraries in 2002. Each number in the table is in thousands.

a. What is the correlation coefficient for number of volumes and operating cost, and for circulation and operating cost?
b. Is number of volumes or circulation more strongly correlated with operating cost? Explain your reasoning.

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Public Libraries in Selected Cities City Atlanta, GA Baton Rouge, Boston MA Buffalo, NY Cleveland, OH Dallas, TX Denver, CO Detroit, MI Volumes Circulation Cost (s) 2,704 19,500 LA 1,232 2,449 13,000 6,582 3.500 30,100 8,998 29.000 5,380 3,782 48,600 3,807 19,200 4,224 7,448 23,700 27,400 1,960 5,241 3,000 2,808 Kansas City, MO ,215 2,224 14,800 1,849 1,513 Memphis, TN Omaha, NE 3,702 14,700 917 2,474 9,090 6.067 46.800 1,777 4,580 24,500 1,05 ,407,800 Philadelphia, PA 7892 6,067 46.800 Seattle, WA St. Paul, MN