Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733)Statistics and ProbabilityMedium
A survey asked 150 people about their favorite type of movie. The results are shown in the pie chart below (percentages are approximate). If 20% prefer action movies and 30% prefer comedy, how many people prefer drama movies if the remaining 50% is split equally between drama and sci-fi?
- A75
- B50
- C37.5
- D25
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 37.5
Total people = 150. Action = 20% of 150 = 30 people. Comedy = 30% of 150 = 45 people. Remaining percentage is 100% - 20% - 30% = 50%. This 50% is split equally between drama and sci-fi, so drama is 50% / 2 = 25%. Number of people who prefer drama = 25% of 150 = 0.25 * 150 = 37.5.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 75 is 50% of the total, which is the combined drama and sci-fi, not just drama.
- B. 50 is the remaining percentage, or 50% of 100, not 150.
- D. Incorrect, 25 is the percentage, not the number of people.
Data Interpretation: Pie Chart
A pie chart is a circular statistical graphic divided into slices to illustrate numerical proportion.
- Each slice represents a category's proportion of the whole.
- The sum of all slice percentages must equal 100%.
- The size of each slice is proportional to the quantity it represents.
Memory trick: Whole pie is 100, slices are parts.