Data released by the Department of Education regarding the rate (percentage) of ninth-grade students that don't graduate showed that out of 50 states,
16 states had an increase in the dropout rate during the past 2 years.
18 states had a dropout rate of at least 30% during the past 2 years.
20 states had an increase in the dropout rate and/or a dropout rate of at least 30% during the past 2 years.
How many states had a dropout rate that was less than 30% but that had increased over the 2-year period?
Please explain. Thank you
To answer this question, we need to analyze the information provided step by step.
We know that out of 50 states:
- 16 states had an increase in the dropout rate during the past 2 years.
- 18 states had a dropout rate of at least 30% during the past 2 years.
- 20 states had an increase in the dropout rate and/or a dropout rate of at least 30% during the past 2 years.
To determine the number of states that had a dropout rate less than 30% but increased over the 2-year period, we need to subtract the number of states that had a dropout rate of at least 30% from the total number of states that had an increase in the dropout rate.
Let's break down the steps:
Step 1: Subtract the number of states with a 30% or higher dropout rate from the total number of states with an increased dropout rate.
Total states with an increased dropout rate - States with a 30% or higher dropout rate = States with a less than 30% but increased dropout rate
Step 2: Substitute the given values into the equation.
16 states with an increased dropout rate - 18 states with a 30% or higher dropout rate = X
Step 3: Calculate the result.
16 - 18 = X
X = -2
Based on our calculations, the result is -2, indicating that there is a discrepancy. However, it is not mathematically possible to have a negative number of states. This implies that there might be an incorrect or conflicting piece of information provided in the question.
In summary, based on the given information, we cannot accurately determine the number of states with a dropout rate less than 30% but increased over the 2-year period.