Final answer:
Percent bars, used by Alisha and Will, represent data in terms of percentages and serve to visually compare categories or understand data. While specific benchmarks aren't stated, these tools are essential in visually conveying information in mathematics, such as in bar graphs.
Step-by-step explanation:
To explain the question regarding Alisha and Will using percent bars to show common percent benchmarks, it's important to understand that percent bars are visual tools used to represent data in terms of percentages. Benchmark percentages are standard values that are commonly used for comparison, such as 25%, 50%, and 75%. While the specific benchmark used by each student is not provided in the question, percent bars enable students to easily compare different categories or to understand data by visualizing it in a segmented linear format, much like a bar graph.
In mathematics, presenting data visually can be very effective in conveying information. For instance, when constructing a bar graph to show percentages, as mentioned in Exercise 2.8 and Table 2.44, students can visually compare the distribution of data across categories. If we explain pie graphs and bar graphs, pie graphs are ideal for showing how a whole is divided into proportional parts, while bar graphs are useful for comparing amounts in different categories. It is crucial to ensure that the visuals are clear, with legible percentages and distinguishable colors for accurate interpretation.