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Information and IdeasHardChoosing the right rate comparison

Information and Ideas practice question

Two coffee shops last month: Shop X: 3,000 customers, 90 complaints Shop Y: 1,200 customers, 48 complaints

A reviewer claims that Shop X had fewer complaints per customer than Shop Y. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to support the claim?

  1. A. Shop X had 3 complaints per 100 customers (90 ÷ 3,000), compared with 4 per 100 at Shop Y (48 ÷ 1,200).Correct
  2. B. Shop X had more customers than Shop Y.
  3. C. Shop X had more complaints than Shop Y.
  4. D. Shop Y had 48 complaints.

Answer: A. Shop X had 3 complaints per 100 customers (90 ÷ 3,000), compared with 4 per 100 at Shop Y (48 ÷ 1,200).

Per customer requires dividing complaints by customers for both shops.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Shop X had more customers than Shop Y.
Customer numbers alone say nothing about complaints per customer.
C. Shop X had more complaints than Shop Y.
Raw complaints point the wrong way and ignore volume.
D. Shop Y had 48 complaints.
One count, no rate.

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