Question

exercises 11 - 18 refer to the data in table 1.6, showing the participation rate of the male and female population in the united states civilian work - force in selected years from 1960 through 2010 (seasonally adjusted):
table 1.6 labor force participation rate, age 16 and over
year female male
1960 37.7 83.4
1965 39.3 80.5
1970 43.3 79.6
1975 46.3 77.2
1980 51.5 77.0
1985 54.5 76.1
1990 57.5 76.3
1995 58.9 74.6
2000 59.9 74.7
2005 59.3 73.2
2010 58.6 70.7
source: u.s. bureau of labor statistics (www.bls.gov)

1. (a) according to the numerical model, what has been the trend in the percentage of males participating in the civilian work - force since 1960?

(b) in what 5 - year interval did the percentage of male participation change the most?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze male participation rate trend

Observe the male - participation - rate values from 1960 to 2010 in the table. In 1960, the male participation rate was 83.4, and in 2010 it was 70.7.

Step2: Calculate changes for 5 - year intervals

For 1960 - 1965: $|83.4 - 80.5|=2.9$; for 1965 - 1970: $|80.5 - 79.6| = 0.9$; for 1970 - 1975: $|79.6 - 77.2|=2.4$; for 1975 - 1980: $|77.2 - 77.0| = 0.2$; for 1980 - 1985: $|77.0 - 76.1|=0.9$; for 1985 - 1990: $|76.1 - 76.3| = 0.2$; for 1990 - 1995: $|76.3 - 74.6|=1.7$; for 1995 - 2000: $|74.6 - 74.7| = 0.1$; for 2000 - 2005: $|74.7 - 73.2|=1.5$; for 2005 - 2010: $|73.2 - 70.7|=2.5$.

Answer:

(a) The percentage of males participating in the civilian work - force has been decreasing since 1960.
(b) The 5 - year interval in which the percentage of male participation changed the most is 1960 - 1965.