Question

the stacked line chart shows the numbers of college degrees awarded to males and females since 1970. complete parts (a) through (d).

a. estimate the numbers of college degrees awarded to males and to females (separately) in 2020.

the number of college degrees awarded to males in 2020 was dropdown. the number of college degrees awarded to females in 2020 was dropdown.

dropdown options:
693,000
770,000
610,000
1,193,000

Explanation:

Identify chart type and data representation

Using the Graph Interpretation knowledge point, we analyze the visual structure of the stacked line chart.

• The horizontal axis represents the Year from 1970 to 2020.
• The vertical axis represents the Number of degrees (hundred thousands).
• The bottom region (cyan) represents Male degrees.
• The top region (purple) represents Female degrees stacked on top of the male degrees.

Read values for the year 2020

Using the Stacked Bar Chart Analysis knowledge point, we interpret the stacked values for the year 2020.

• The bottom boundary of the cyan region is at \(0\).
• The top boundary of the cyan region (representing males) is at approximately \(6.8\) on the vertical axis (which is in hundred thousands, so \(6.8 \times 100,000 = 680,000\)).
• The top boundary of the purple region (representing the total of males and females combined) is at approximately \(18.7\) on the vertical axis (which is \(18.7 \times 100,000 = 1,870,000\)).

Calculate the number of degrees for males

Using the Graph Interpretation knowledge point, we determine the value for males in 2020.

• The height of the cyan region at 2020 is approximately \(6.8\) hundred thousands.
• Looking at the dropdown options: \(693,000\), \(770,000\), \(610,000\), and \(1,193,000\).
• \(6.93\) hundred thousands is \(693,000\), which is the closest match to our visual estimate of nearly \(7\) hundred thousands.
• Therefore, the estimated number of degrees awarded to males in 2020 is \(693,000\).

Calculate the number of degrees for females

Using the Stacked Bar Chart Analysis and Graph Interpretation knowledge points, we find the value for females in 2020.

• The total combined height is approximately \(18.7\) hundred thousands (or \(1,870,000\)).
• The female portion is the difference between the total height and the male height:

$$ \text{Female} = \text{Total} - \text{Male} \approx 1,870,000 - 693,000 = 1,177,000 $$

• Looking at the dropdown options, \(1,193,000\) is the closest match to this difference (corresponding to a total height of \(1,886,000\), which is extremely close to \(19\) hundred thousands).
• Therefore, the estimated number of degrees awarded to females in 2020 is \(1,193,000\).

Answer:

• (A) 610,000
• (B) 693,000 (Correct answer)
• (C) 770,000
• (D) 1,193,000