Question

A group of 125 teenagers were asked which of the following activities they would most likely choose to spend their free time doing: reading a book, watching television, playing video games, or listening to music. The results are displayed in the circle graph below.

What is the difference in percent between those who chose reading a book and those who chose to listen to music?


a. 16%

b. 8%

c. 12%

d. 4%

Answer 1

12%

Explanation:

Read a book = 16%

Listen to music = 28%

We can read the question in different ways:

1. The simple difference between the two is 12%

2. Out of the sample, the two groups include:

15 chose books

35 chose music

Within this sample of 50 teenagers,

(15/50) or 30% chose books, and

(35/50) or 70% chose music

That makes a difference of 40%

I would chose the first interpretation, 12% [Especially since 40% is not an option.]