An economist is analyzing the monthly unemployment rates (as a %) across different cities. The lowest was 16% and the highest was 71%. Without constructing a table, find the class width if this data is divided into 7 classes. Then write the lower and upper class limits for each class.

• A. Class width = 7; lower class limits = 16, 23, 30, 37, 44, 51, 58, 65; Upper class limits = 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72
• B. Class width = 7; lower class limits = 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64; Upper class limits = 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72
• C. Class width = 8; lower class limits = 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64; Upper class limits = 23, 31, 39, 47, 55, 63, 71
• D. Class width = 8; lower class limits = 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64; Upper class limits = 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the range of the data by subtracting the lowest value from the highest value: Range = 71% - 16%.
2. Determine the class width by dividing the range by the number of classes. Use the formula: Class Width = (Range) / (Number of Classes).
3. Round up the class width to the nearest whole number if necessary, as class width should be a whole number.
4. Calculate the lower class limits by starting with the lowest value (16%) and adding the class width successively.
5. Calculate the upper class limits by subtracting 1 from the next lower class limit or adding the class width to each lower class limit and subtracting 1.