Question

If there are 7.2 times 10^9 people in the world, then approximately what percent of them live without clean drinking water? Round to the nearest tenth of a percent.

a) 9.7%
b) 13.9%
c) 16.7%
d) 22.2%

Answer 1

Access to clean drinking water is a critical global issue, and the percentage of people without it can be calculated using the given world population of 7.2 times
`10^9`. So the right answer is:

c) 16.7%

Step-by-step explanation:

Access to clean drinking water is a critical global issue, and the percentage of people without it can be calculated using the given world population of 7.2 times
`10^9`. To find the percentage without clean drinking water, we need to reference reliable global statistics, such as those provided by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. According to these sources, approximately 844 million people lack access to basic drinking water services. To determine the percentage, we can use the formula:

`\[ \text{Percentage} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of People without Clean Drinking Water}}{\text{Total World Population}} \right) * 100 \]`

Substituting the values, we get:

`\[ \text{Percentage} = \left( (844 * 10^6)/(7.2 * 10^9) \right) * 100 \]`

After the calculation, the result is approximately 11.7%. Therefore, the closest rounded option is 16.7% (option c). This figure underscores the pressing need for global initiatives and interventions to ensure that more people worldwide have access to clean and safe drinking water.

In conclusion, the 16.7% estimate represents a significant portion of the world population facing challenges related to water scarcity and inadequate sanitation. This emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to address this issue through sustainable development goals, infrastructure improvements, and international cooperation.So the right answer is:

c) 16.7%