The PEARSON function in Google Sheets is a statistical tool designed to assess the strength of a linear relationship between two datasets. By calculating the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, this function provides valuable insights into how closely related two sets of values are, enabling users to understand underlying patterns and correlations within their data.

Syntax

PEARSON(array1, array2)

• array1: The first dataset or range of values to evaluate.
• array2: The second dataset or range of values to compare against array1.

Example #1

PEARSON(A1:A10, B1:B10)

This function computes the Pearson correlation coefficient for the values in cells A1 through A10 and B1 through B10. For example, if cell A1 through A10 contain test scores and B1 through B10 contain corresponding project scores, the result might be +0.85, indicating a strong positive correlation between the two sets of scores.

Example #2

PEARSON(C1:C15, D1:D15)

This function evaluates the relationship between the datasets in C1 through C15 and D1 through D15. If C1 to C15 are hours studied and D1 to D15 represent exam scores, a result of -0.30 could imply a negative but weak correlation, suggesting that studying more time does not necessarily lead to higher scores in this instance.

Example #3

PEARSON(E1:E5, F1:F5)

Here, the function assesses the correlation between values in E1 through E5 and F1 through F5. If E1 to E5 are sales figures and F1 to F5 are advertising expenditures, a result of +0.95 would indicate a very strong positive correlation, meaning an increase in advertising likely leads to increased sales.

Error handling

• N/A: This error occurs when the datasets provided cannot be evaluated, often due to having non-numeric values.
• DIV/0!: This error happens if one or both datasets contain only one data point, as correlation cannot be calculated with insufficient data.
• VALUE!: This error indicates that the inputs provided for the datasets are in the wrong format, such as non-numeric values or mismatched ranges.

Conclusion

In summary, the PEARSON function in Google Sheets serves as an essential tool for statisticians, data analysts, and researchers seeking to understand the correlation between two sets of data. By utilizing this function, users can determine the strength and direction of linear relationships, facilitating informed decisions based on data-driven insights. Whether analyzing test scores, sales figures, or any other quantitative data, the PEARSON function enhances the analytical capabilities within Google Sheets.