Question

Number of years since

2000
% of men earning
$50,000 - $74,999
% of women earning
$50,000 - $74,999
2
20.1
13.0
3
20.2
13.3

4
20.5
14.2
5
20.7
15.1
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Based on the data given, do you think that the percentage of women earning $50,000 to $74,999 ever catch up to the percentage of men earning $50,000 to $74,999? Explain your reasoning. You will explore this question in the next lesson so this is just a space to write down your initial thoughts.

Answer 1

Yes, the percentage of women earning $50,000 to $74,999 will one day catch up to the percentage of men earning $50,000 to $74,999.

Explanation:

At 2 years since 2000,

Percentage of men earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 20.1, and

Percentage of women earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 13.0

At 3 years since 2000,

Percentage of men earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 20.2, and

Percentage of women earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 13.3

At 4 years since 2000,

Percentage of men earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 20.5, and

Percentage of women earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 14.2

At 5 years since 2000,

Percentage of men earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 20.7, and

Percentage of women earning $50,000 - $74,999 is 15.1

Average Change for Men:

(20.1 + 20.2 + 20.5 + 20.7)/4

= 81.5/4

= 20.375

Average Change for Women:

(13.0 + 13.3 + 14.2 + 15.1)/4

= 55.6/4

= 13.9

Difference between the average percentage change and the initial percentage.

For men:

20.375 - 20.1 = 0.275

For women:

13.9 - 13.0 = 0.9

With this data, we can say that you the percentage of women earning $50,000 to $74,999 will one day catch up to the percentage of men earning $50,000 to $74,999. This is because the percentage of women increases more rapidly than the percentage of men, and it will be only a matter of time for the percentages to coincide.