Final answer:
To determine the projected number of associate degrees in the 2020-21 school year, the initial number of degrees awarded in 2013-14 were multiplied by the projected increase rate. The calculated increase was added to the original number to find the total projected number. After rounding, it turns out that the correct projected increase is 164,283 degrees, and the total projected number is 1,107,283 degrees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the projected number of associate degrees to be awarded in the 2020-21 school year in the United States and the increase from the 2013-14 school year, when 943,000 degrees were awarded.
To find the projected increase, we multiply the number of degrees awarded in 2013-14 by the rate of increase:
943,000 degrees × 17.4% = 164,282 degrees (rounded to the nearest whole number)
Now, we add this increase to the original number of degrees to find the projected number of degrees for the 2020-21 school year:
943,000 degrees + 164,282 degrees = 1,107,282 degrees
However, since we have to round to the nearest whole number, and since the fractions in the calculated increase (0.2 and up) were dropped, we can adjust by adding 1:
Projected Increase: 164,283 degrees
Projected Total: 1,107,283 degrees
Thus, none of the provided answer choices A, B, C, or D are correct.