- Fri Nov 18, 2016 2:05 pm
#30708
Thanks for asking, jlam. These numbers and percentages issues can be a bit troubling at times. The thing we need to accomplish is a resolution of the paradox, and explanation for the discrepancy. Why does the reporting suggest a higher crime rate while people think crime has gone down?
Answer C doesn't help to explain either side of this paradox. If crime has gone down in proportion to the population, why has the reporting gone up? If crime is actually up, why do people think it has gone down? C is an opposite answer, deepening the mystery instead of shedding light on it.
Answer E tells us that the issue is in the reporting. If people are reporting more than they used to, that would explain the increase in reporting per 100,000 people. the actual number of crimes that occurred could have gone down, while at the same time both the number and percentage of crimes being reported went up. For example, 20 years ago there were 100 crimes actually committed per 100,000 people, but only 10 of those were reported. Maybe folks didn't trust the police, or thought there was no point, or they were embarrassed? Now, 20 years later, actual crime is down to 50 crimes per 100,000 people, but they are reporting 40 of them - a huge increase in reporting, but a drop in actual crime. That solves it.
See if that makes some more sense to you and let us know if you need more help with it. Talk to you soon!
Adam M. Tyson
PowerScore LSAT, GRE, ACT and SAT Instructor
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