Question

the graph to the right compares teaching salaries of women and men at private colleges and universities. what impression does the graph create? does the graph depict the data fairly? if not, construct a graph that depicts the data fairly.
graph: salaries ($) axis from 50000 to 80000, women (red bar ~60000), men (blue bar ~70000)
(partially visible option: \the graph creates the impression that men have salaries that are slightly higher than that of women\ as option d)
\does the graph depict the data fairly?
options:
a. yes, because the vertical scale is appropriate for the data.
b. no, because the vertical scale does not start at zero.
c. yes, because the bars accurately represent each average.
d. no, because the data are two-dimensional measurements.\

Explanation:

Part 1: Impression from the Graph

To determine the impression, we analyze the bar heights. The red bar (women) is around $60,000$, and the blue bar (men) is around $70,000$. The difference in heights makes it seem like men’s salaries are only slightly higher than women’s (even though the actual difference is $10,000$, the vertical scale exaggerates the visual gap). So the correct option for the impression is:
D. The graph creates the impression that men have salaries that are slightly higher than that of women

Part 2: Fair Depiction of Data

A fair bar graph should have a vertical scale starting at zero to accurately represent differences. Here, the vertical axis starts at $50,000$, not zero. This distorts the visual comparison (the bar heights look more different than the actual salary difference). So the correct option for “Does the graph depict the data fairly?” is:
B. No, because the vertical scale does not start at zero

Answer:

1. Impression: D. The graph creates the impression that men have salaries that are slightly higher than that of women
2. Fair Depiction: B. No, because the vertical scale does not start at zero