The first set of 16 tables contains data for independent variables, and the second set contains data for dependent variables. Pairing one table from each set produces a common expression or song lyric. For example, pairing “Miles per hour” from the independent variables with “Nuclear by-products” from the dependent variables clues “Haste makes waste."
Once the variables are paired, sort them by the first year of the Independent variable (2000-2015) and compute the correlation. The absolute values of the correlations, rounded to two digits, all fall between 65 and 90, corresponding to ASCII codes of the letters A through Z. Converting to letters gives the solution.
First year | Independent Variable | Dependent Variable | Phrase clued | Actual Correlation | Rounded to 2 digits | Letter |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Unattached Potato Head mouths | Buoyancy of sea vessels | Loose lips sink ships | -0.7019539837 | 70 | F |
2001 | Miles per hour | Nuclear by-products | Haste makes waste | 0.6911633165 | 69 | E |
2002 | Diurnal consumption of pomes | Medical professionals in the immediate area | An apple a day keeps the doctor away | -0.7292656055 | 73 | I |
2003 | Extent and sinuosity of a path | Entrances | The long and winding road that leads to your door | 0.7084534689 | 71 | G |
2004 | Dairy-based beverages | Young males in this three-foot stretch | My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard | 0.7764335148 | 78 | N |
2005 | High-pitched noises coming from axle partners | Productions of 1970s musicals set in the 1950s | The squeaky wheel gets the grease | 0.6911465564 | 69 | E |
2006 | Kids' turkey templates | Laser shows | Many hands make light work | 0.6796170994 | 68 | D |
2007 | Chopped contestants | Unexpired cans of soup | Too many cooks spoil the broth | -0.7282143944 | 73 | I |
2008 | Observations of kitchen equipment | Instances of the 6th plague | A watched pot never boils | -0.7101305673 | 71 | G |
2009 | Rehearsals | Movies with Jamie Lee Curtis as an aerobics instructor | Practice makes perfect | 0.7819573431 | 78 | N |
2010 | Desire to have sex with me | Distance from my buddies | If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends | -0.789878835 | 79 | O |
2011 | Plays of Paul McCartney's first solo single | Money exchanges at the US/Canadian border | Another day, another dollar | 0.8183398188 | 82 | R |
2012 | Affinity for Pennywise | Finger jewelry | If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it | 0.653834218 | 65 | A |
2013 | Groups of lions | Descent velocity | Pride goes before a fall | 0.7822391047 | 78 | N |
2014 | Q-Rating | Times judges are disobeyed in court | Familiarity breeds contempt | 0.6712773859 | 67 | C |
2015 | Non-recreational employment | Matteness of the finish of a pail fetcher | All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy | 0.6926710848 | 69 | E |