Multiple choice

Each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics conducts a survey called the Current Population Survey(CPS) to measure unemployment in the United States. Across the country, about $60,000$ households are included in the survey sample. These households are grouped by geographic region. A summary of the January 2014 survey results for male respondents in one geographic region is shown in the table below. Age group Employed Unemployed Not in the Labor Force Total 16 to 19 8 5 10 23 20 to 24 26 7 23 56 25 to 34 142 11 28 157 35 to 44 144 8 32 164 45 to 54 66 6 26 98 Over 54 65 7 36 152 Total 451 44 155 650 According to the data in the table, for which age group did the smallest percentage of men report that they were unemployed in January 2014?

  1. 20 to 24 years

  2. 35 to 44 years

  3. 45 to 54 years

  4. Over 54 years
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D Correct answer
Explanation

Compute unemployed divided by total for each age group. The percentages are approximately 21.7%, 12.5%, 7.0%, 4.9%, 6.1%, and 4.6%, respectively, so the smallest is for men over 54.

AI explanation

To find the age group with the smallest percentage of unemployed men, calculate the ratio of unemployed men to the total men in each group. For the 20 to 24 age group the ratio is 7 divided by 56, which is 12.5 percent; for 35 to 44 it is 8 divided by 164, or about 4.9 percent; for 45 to 54 it is 6 divided by 98, or about 6.1 percent. For the over 54 group, the ratio is 7 divided by 152, which is about 4.6 percent, making it the smallest percentage.

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