Question

the salaries of the employees at four companies are summarized below. answer the questions about them. company a: the mean salary is $22,000 and the range of salaries is $46,000. company b: the mean salary is $24,000 and the range of salaries is $44,000. company c: the mean salary is $25,000 and the range of salaries is $49,000. company d: the mean salary is $26,000 and the range of salaries is $48,000. (a) based on the information above, which company has the highest salaries on average? ☐ company a ☐ company b ☐ company c ☐ company d (b) based on the information above, which company’s salaries have the least variability? ☐ company a ☐ company b ☐ company c ☐ company d

Explanation:

Part (a)

Step1: Recall the meaning of mean

The mean salary represents the average salary of employees in a company. To find which company has the highest average salary, we compare the mean salaries of all four companies.

Step2: Compare the mean salaries

• Company A: $\$22,000$
• Company B: $\$24,000$
• Company C: $\$25,000$
• Company D: $\$26,000$

Among these, $\$26,000$ (Company D's mean) is the highest.

Step1: Recall the meaning of range

The range of salaries is a measure of variability (spread) of the data. A smaller range indicates less variability in the salaries.

Step2: Compare the ranges

• Company A: $\$46,000$
• Company B: $\$44,000$
• Company C: $\$49,000$
• Company D: $\$48,000$

Among these, $\$44,000$ (Company B's range) is the smallest, so Company B has the least variability.

Answer:

Company D

Part (b)