Final answer:
A "small" business is typically defined by having fewer than 1,500 employees and generating less than $35.5 million in revenue. These criteria help distinguish small businesses from larger ones, which employ more workers and have higher revenues.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, the two characteristics that define a "small" business are fewer than 1,500 employees and less than $35.5 million revenue. These criteria are outlined by organizations such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides guidelines to classify small businesses. According to the information provided, slightly less than half of all the workers in private firms are at the 17,000 large firms, which means they employ more than 500 workers, thus classifying them as large-scale operations. In contrast, a substantial portion of the workforce, around 35%, is at firms with fewer than 100 workers, signifying smaller-scale businesses that span a diverse range of sectors, from professional services like dentists and lawyers to businesses that provide home and garden services.