Question

schools the information below represents the fall enrollment of students (in millions) in grades k - 8 for public and private schools.
year 1980 1985 1990 1995
public school 27.6 27.0 29.9 32.4
private school 4.0 4.2 4.1 4.4
in exercises 7 and 8, decide whether each statement is true or false based on the table.

1. the ratio of public to private enrollment has decreased overall from 1980 through 1995.
2. the total number of students has increased.
3. construct a bar graph of the combined enrollment for public and private schools.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate ratio in 1980

$\frac{27.6}{4.0}=6.9$

Step2: Calculate ratio in 1985

$\frac{27.0}{4.2}\approx6.43$

Step3: Calculate ratio in 1990

$\frac{29.9}{4.1}\approx7.29$

Step4: Calculate ratio in 1995

$\frac{32.4}{4.4}\approx7.36$
The ratio has not decreased overall, so statement 7 is false.

Step5: Calculate total in 1980

$27.6 + 4.0=31.6$

Step6: Calculate total in 1985

$27.0+4.2 = 31.2$

Step7: Calculate total in 1990

$29.9+4.1=34.0$

Step8: Calculate total in 1995

$32.4 + 4.4=36.8$
The total number of students has increased overall, so statement 8 is true.

For constructing a bar - graph:

1. On the x - axis, label the years 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995.
2. On the y - axis, choose an appropriate scale (e.g., from 30 to 40 with an increment of 1) to represent the combined enrollment.
3. For 1980, draw a bar with height 31.6.
4. For 1985, draw a bar with height 31.2.
5. For 1990, draw a bar with height 34.0.
6. For 1995, draw a bar with height 36.8.

Answer:

1. False
2. True
3. Follow the steps above to construct the bar - graph.