Question

the table below contains data on the number of farms f (in thousands) in year t
select the line graph on the right that represents the data. (hint: click the magnifying glass in the upper right - hand corner of each graph to see it full size.)

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the trend of data

The number of farms \(F\) (in thousands) is \(99\) in \(1999\), \(95\) in \(2001\), \(91\) in \(2003\), and \(90\) in \(2005\). The data shows a decreasing trend over the years.

Step2: Check each graph

• Graph A: The values are \(90 - 100\) range but it has an increasing - decreasing - increasing pattern which does not match the strictly decreasing (with a small - step decrease) trend of the data.
• Graph B: The values start around \(100\) and show a decreasing trend which matches the data \(99,95,91,90\) (since \(99\approx100\) in the scale of the graph).
• Graph C: The pattern of values does not match the given data values.
• Graph D: The values are in the \(80 - 100\) range but the trend is increasing which is not correct.

Answer:

B.