Final answer:
The data read and write rates in a system with multiple disks are best improved when the disks are operated in parallel, allowing multiple operations to take place simultaneously, thereby maximizing throughput.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to data read and write rates in systems with multiple disks. The rate at which data can be read or written in a system improves when the disks are operated in parallel. Operating disks sequentially will not improve performance significantly because while one disk is being read from or written to, the others remain idle. Similarly, selectively operating disks can improve performance for targeted data access but isn't as effective as parallel operations for overall speed. When disks are operated in parallel, each disk can carry out read and write operations simultaneously, which results in multiplied throughput and reduced wait times, leading to better overall system performance.
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