Regression analysis examines the relationship between variables, where one variable is considered dependent on one or more explanatory variables. It was first introduced by Francis Galton, who found that children's heights tended to "regress" toward the average population height, even if their parents' heights diverged from the average. Modern regression seeks to estimate and predict the dependent variable based on the explanatory variables. It is used in economics to study relationships like consumption expenditure and income, or wage changes and unemployment rates. While regression examines relationships, it does not necessarily imply causation. It also differs from correlation analysis, which measures the strength of linear association between two variables alone.