Final answer:
The best batting average among the options provided, excluding the imprecise '<.340', is .319, which is higher than both .299 and .258.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to select the best batting average out of the given options.
Batting average is a statistical measure used to evaluate the performance of a baseball player and represents the ratio of a player's hits to their at-bats. The highest batting average indicates better performance.
The options provided are <.340, .299, .258, and .319.
The symbol '<' before .340 suggests that it is not a precise number but lesser than .340.
Therefore, we cannot accurately compare it to the others.
Among the precise averages listed, the highest number is .319, which is greater than the other precise averages of .299 and .258.
Hence, the best batting average among the precise figures given is .319.