Is there a relationship between the raises administrators at…

Is there a relationship between the raises administrators at State University receive and their performance on the job? A faculty group wants to determine whether job rating (x) is a useful linear predictor of raise (y). Consequently, the group considered the straight-line regression model, 

 For a random sample of 30 countries, the linear correlation…

 For a random sample of 30 countries, the linear correlation coefficient between the infant mortality rate and the average number of cars per capita was found to be r = -0.717. What does this imply? Does this suggest that if people buy more cars, this could lower the infant mortality rate. Why or why not? What is a likely lurking variable?