16Hit1600
Information and IdeasVery hardSupporting a per-capita claim

Information and Ideas practice question

Two towns' libraries last year: Town A: 90,000 loans, population 30,000 Town B: 100,000 loans, population 50,000

A librarian claims that Town A's residents borrow more books per person than Town B's. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to support the claim?

  1. A. Town A had 3 loans per resident (90,000 ÷ 30,000), compared with 2 per resident in Town B (100,000 ÷ 50,000).Correct
  2. B. Town B had more loans than Town A.
  3. C. Town A has a smaller population than Town B.
  4. D. Town A had 90,000 loans.

Answer: A. Town A had 3 loans per resident (90,000 ÷ 30,000), compared with 2 per resident in Town B (100,000 ÷ 50,000).

Per person requires dividing by population; choice A does so for both.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Town B had more loans than Town A.
Totals point the other way and ignore population.
C. Town A has a smaller population than Town B.
Population alone, no loans.
D. Town A had 90,000 loans.
One figure, no rate.

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