Question

a recent study observed the number of bike riders ages 0 to 20 that wear helmets. the results are represented in the table. use the data in the table to make a conclusion about helmet usage in the different age groups. explain your reasoning.

Explanation:

First, calculate the total number of riders in each age group. For 0 - 5 years: \(21 + 4=25\). For 6 - 10 years: \(34+14 = 48\). For 11 - 15 years: \(14 + 18=32\). For 16 - 20 years: \(3+12 = 15\). Then, calculate the proportion of helmet - wearers in each group. For 0 - 5 years: \(\frac{21}{25}=0.84\). For 6 - 10 years: \(\frac{34}{48}\approx0.71\). For 11 - 15 years: \(\frac{14}{32}=0.4375\). For 16 - 20 years: \(\frac{3}{15}=0.2\).

Answer:

Younger bike riders (0 - 10 years old) are more likely to wear helmets than older bike riders (11 - 20 years old). The proportion of helmet - wearers decreases as the age of bike riders increases. For example, 84% of 0 - 5 - year - old riders wear helmets, while only 20% of 16 - 20 - year - old riders do. This could be because younger riders may have more supervision or be more influenced by safety - conscious adults, while older riders may be more independent and less likely to follow helmet - wearing norms.