Question

An internal census of the salaries of animals employed by United Pets Inc. shows that the median salary for dogs is considerably lower than the median salary for cats. Further investigation shows that the median dog salary is higher than the median cat salary in every department (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, etc.) of the company. Which of the following is the most satisfactory explanation for this apparent contradiction?

a. The study is based on a small sample size, so the results are heavily affected by random sampling error.
b. Different departments tend to pay different salaries, and dogs are more likely than cats to work in higher-paying departments.
c. Different departments tend to pay different salaries, and dogs are more likely than cats to work in lower-paying departments.
d. There are many more cats than dogs employed by this company.
e. There are many more dogs than cats employed by this company.
f. There is a very small fraction of cats in each department that earns extremely high salaries compared to everyone else (for example, the chief executives).

Answer 1

c. Different departments tend to pay different salaries, and dogs are more likely than cats to work in lower-paying departments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The only explanation for difference in median results is that dogs take up jobs in both higher paying departments and lower paying departments while cats take up jobs in only higher paying departments only. In other words the median results for dogs when compared in general would be higher than that of the cats