Question

average hours worked per person per year in 1950 and 2017
calculations may be inexact due to rounding.
a student in an economics course is examining the decline since 1950 in average hours worked per person per year in various nations due to both increased productivity and the adoption of policies that limit working hours. the first task in this investigation is to determine how the decline in switzerland compares to that in other countries. the student finds that______
which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
a though the percent decrease in hours worked in switzerland was less than that in germany, it was greater than that in brazil and japan
b the decline in number of hours worked was greater in switzerland than it was in germany, brazil, or japan
c while the number of hours worked rose in switzerland from 1950 to 2017, it declined in germany, brazil, and japan
d though the percent decrease in hours worked in switzerland was greater than that d in germany and japan, it was less than that in brazil

Explanation:

• Option A:
• For the percent decrease:
• Germany has a - 44% change. Switzerland has a - 22% change. Brazil has a - 16% change. Japan has a - 14% change.
• So, - 22% (Switzerland) is less than - 44% (Germany) but greater than - 16% (Brazil) and - 14% (Japan).
• Option B:
• The decline in hours (Change in hours column):
• Switzerland: - 450. Germany: - 1074. Since - 1074 < - 450 (in terms of magnitude of decline, more negative means more decline), Switzerland's decline in number of hours is less than Germany's.
• Option C:
• In the table, for Switzerland, the hours went from 2040 (1950) to 1590 (2017), which is a decrease (not an increase).
• Option D:
• As calculated above, Switzerland's percent decrease (- 22%) is less than Germany's (- 44%) and greater than Brazil's (- 16%) and Japan's (- 14%).

Answer:

A. though the percent decrease in hours worked in Switzerland was less than that in Germany, it was greater than that in Brazil and Japan