16Hit1600
Information and IdeasVery hardChoosing the per-unit comparison

Information and Ideas practice question

Two ferries last month: Ferry X: 60 crossings, 9,000 passengers Ferry Y: 40 crossings, 7,200 passengers

A manager claims that Ferry Y carried more passengers per crossing than Ferry X. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to support the claim?

  1. A. Ferry Y carried 180 passengers per crossing (7,200 ÷ 40), compared with 150 for Ferry X (9,000 ÷ 60).Correct
  2. B. Ferry X carried more passengers than Ferry Y.
  3. C. Ferry Y made fewer crossings than Ferry X.
  4. D. Ferry Y carried 7,200 passengers.

Answer: A. Ferry Y carried 180 passengers per crossing (7,200 ÷ 40), compared with 150 for Ferry X (9,000 ÷ 60).

Per crossing requires dividing passengers by crossings for both.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Ferry X carried more passengers than Ferry Y.
Totals point the wrong way and ignore crossings.
C. Ferry Y made fewer crossings than Ferry X.
Crossings alone say nothing about passengers per crossing.
D. Ferry Y carried 7,200 passengers.
A total without a rate.

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