Question

In Bolivia, 14 percent of the population traces its ancestry to Spain alone, while 30 percent are mestizos, people whose ancestors were both European and Native American. The remaining Bolivians are full-blooded Native Americans. In Venezuela, two-thirds are mestizos, 21 percent full-blooded European, a tenth African only, and the remainder Native American. Argentina's population is 85 percent European, with 10 percent Native American and the remainder mestizos. The population of Bolivia is 8.3 million, and that of Argentina is 36.3 million. Venezuela's population falls somewhere in between. Based on this information, which of the following statements about these three countries must be true?

a. Argentina has the largest population among the three countries.
b. Bolivia has the smallest population among the three countries.
c. Venezuela has a population greater than Bolivia but less than Argentina.
d. Venezuela has a population greater than Argentina but less than Bolivia.

Answer 1

Based on the given information, Argentina has the largest population among the three countries, and Bolivia has the smallest population. The correct answer is option B .

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which of the following statements about Argentina, Bolivia, and Venezuela must be true based on the given information. Let's evaluate each statement:

1. Argentina has the largest population among the three countries: According to the given information, Bolivia's population is 8.3 million and Argentina's population is 36.3 million. Since Argentina has a larger population than Bolivia, this statement is true.
2. Bolivia has the smallest population among the three countries: As mentioned earlier, Bolivia's population is 8.3 million. Since Venezuela's population falls somewhere between Bolivia and Argentina, and Argentina has a larger population, this statement is true.
3. Venezuela has a population greater than Bolivia but less than Argentina: As mentioned earlier, Bolivia's population is 8.3 million and Argentina's population is 36.3 million. Since Venezuela's population falls between Bolivia and Argentina, this statement is true.
4. Venezuela has a population greater than Argentina but less than Bolivia: This statement contradicts the information provided. Bolivia's population is smaller than that of Venezuela, so this statement is false.

Based on the evaluation, the statements that must be true are: Argentina has the largest population among the three countries, and Bolivia has the smallest population among the three countries. Therefore, the correct answer is option b. Bolivia has the smallest population among the three countries.