Question

a school administrator who was concerned about grade inflation looked over the number of straight - a students from year to year.
straight - a students
year students
2015 820
2016 864
2017 787
2018 863
2019 827
according to the table, when was the rate of decrease greater?
between 2015 and 2017
between 2016 and 2019

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the rate of decrease between 2015 and 2017

The formula for the rate of decrease is \(\frac{\text{Initial value}-\text{Final value}}{\text{Initial value}}\).
For 2015 - 2017: Initial value \(= 820\), Final value \(= 787\).
\(\frac{820 - 787}{820}=\frac{33}{820}\approx0.04024\)

Step2: Calculate the rate of decrease between 2016 and 2019

For 2016 - 2019: Initial value \(= 864\), Final value \(= 827\).
\(\frac{864 - 827}{864}=\frac{37}{864}\approx0.04282\)

Step3: Compare the two rates

Since \(0.04282>0.04024\)

Answer:

between 2016 and 2019