16Hit1600
Information and IdeasVery hardChoosing data that supports a per-capita claim

Information and Ideas practice question

A council compared two of its libraries. Library | Population served | Annual loans North | 20,000 | 60,000 South | 50,000 | 100,000 A councillor argues that North's residents make heavier use of their library than South's, noting that ____

Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?

  1. A. North records 3 loans per resident a year against South's 2, even though South's total is larger.Correct
  2. B. South records 100,000 loans a year.
  3. C. North serves fewer people than South.
  4. D. South serves 30,000 more people than North.

Answer: A. North records 3 loans per resident a year against South's 2, even though South's total is larger.

60,000/20,000 = 3; 100,000/50,000 = 2.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. South records 100,000 loans a year.
The larger total favours South, not North.
C. North serves fewer people than South.
Fewer people says nothing about use per person.
D. South serves 30,000 more people than North.
A population gap says nothing about loans per person.

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