Final answer:
Exact data on the percentage of adolescents in the "popular" crowd is not provided, but it is likely that it falls within 20 to 40 percent, considering the related social statistics provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
When evaluating what percentage of adolescents are typically part of a "popular" crowd in American high schools, none of the references provided directly answer this question. However, by analyzing social dynamics and peer interaction through provided statistics, we can infer that the percentage of students that can be considered part of a "popular" crowd is neither as high as 60 percent nor less than 5 percent. Given that approximately 8 percent of students participate in after-school sports all four years, which could be correlated with higher social status, and considering the 17.8 percent to 37.8 percent range of teens reporting more than 500 friends on social media (a possible indicator of popularity), a reasonable estimation might align with options a. 20 percent or b. 40 percent, which suggests a significant but not majority presence in the social hierarchy. Nevertheless, further specific studies would be required to pinpoint an exact percentage.