relationship between sample size and size of Pearson correlation significance? Solution Sample size, n = g / m + 3; where m = log((1+r)/(1-r)) / 2 + (r/(2(n-1))) The formula is an iterative one, starting with n = log((1+r)/(1-r)) / 2 and substituting n into the formula with the one calculated until the difference of the two is less than one (1). but i cant understand the part where it state, Initial n = log((1+0.5)/(1-0.5)) / 2 = 0.5493.