Final answer:
The four-fifths rule is used to assess potential employment discrimination. In this case, there may be evidence of discrimination based on the four-fifths rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four-fifths rule, also known as the 80% rule, is used to assess potential employment discrimination by comparing the selection rates of different groups. According to the four-fifths rule, if the selection rate for a protected group is less than four-fifths (or 80%) of the selection rate for the group with the highest rate, then there may be evidence of discrimination. In this case, the company hires 10 blacks out of 40 eligible black applicants, resulting in a selection rate of 10/40 = 0.25. The company also hires 25 whites out of 50 eligible white applicants, resulting in a selection rate of 25/50 = 0.5. Since 0.25 is less than 0.5, which is not four-fifths or 80% of 0.5, there may be evidence of discrimination.