Question

1. a university surveys a random sample of 200 students. each student is asked to select all the devices they regularly use to access their course materials. the survey results are summarized in the table below. from this information, which one of the following statements is correct?

device used	number of students selecting device
smartphone	120
laptop	40
desktop computer	30
other	10

a. because students could select multiple devices when completing the survey, a bar graph, as opposed to a pie chart, would be a more appropriate way to display the data.
b. the best way to represent this data would be to use a histogram since the device types are discrete categories.
c. because the devices can be ordered by how much they are used, the only valid way to display this data is with a line graph.
d. we should refer to “device used” as being a quantitative variable because there is a number associated with each type of device.
e. to graph this data, a pie chart would be most appropriate since 100% of the students in the sample had the option to choose each of the different types of devices.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze data - type

The data is about different devices students use and the number of students for each device. Students can select multiple devices.

Step2: Evaluate graph - types

Pie - charts are for parts of a whole where the sum of all parts is 100% and each element is exclusive. Since students can choose multiple devices, the sum of the number of students for each device will be greater than the total number of students in the sample. A bar - graph is more suitable as it can display non - exclusive categories and their frequencies.

Step3: Check each option

• Option A: Since students can select multiple devices, a bar graph is more appropriate than a pie chart. This is correct.
• Option B: Histograms are for continuous data grouped into intervals, not for discrete non - exclusive categories like these device types. So, this is incorrect.
• Option C: Line graphs are used to show trends over time or a continuous variable, not for discrete non - exclusive categories like device types. So, this is incorrect.
• Option D: “Device used” is a categorical variable, not a quantitative variable. The numbers associated are frequencies of the categories, not values of a quantitative variable. So, this is incorrect.
• Option E: As students can choose multiple devices, the percentages will not add up to 100% in a meaningful way for a pie chart. So, this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. Because students could select multiple devices when completing the survey, a bar graph, as opposed to a pie chart, would be a more appropriate way to display the data.