To determine which conclusion is best supported by the information in the chart, we need to compare the average starting salaries of various major categories to the overall average starting salary of [tex]$48,707.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
1. Overall Average Salary Comparison:
- The overall average starting salary is $[/tex]48,707.
2. Engineering:
- Salary: [tex]$62,891
- Comparison: $[/tex]62,891 > [tex]$48,707 (True)
3. Computer Science:
- Salary: $[/tex]62,103
- Comparison: [tex]$62,103 > $[/tex]48,707 (True)
4. Business:
- Salary: [tex]$57,229
- Comparison: $[/tex]57,229 > [tex]$48,707 (True)
5. Communications:
- Salary: $[/tex]48,253
- Comparison: [tex]$48,253 < $[/tex]48,707 (False)
6. Math and Sciences:
- Salary: [tex]$44,299
- Comparison: $[/tex]44,299 < [tex]$48,707 (False)
7. Education:
- Salary: $[/tex]40,267
- Comparison: [tex]$40,267 < $[/tex]48,707 (False)
8. Humanities and Social Sciences:
- Salary: [tex]$38,049
- Comparison: $[/tex]38,049 < [tex]$48,707 (False)
Based on these comparisons, the major categories that have above-average starting salaries are Engineering, Computer Science, and Business. However, the conclusions options are:
1. Majors in social sciences lead to above-average starting salaries.
2. Majors in education lead to above-average starting salaries.
3. Majors in humanities lead to above-average starting salaries.
4. Majors in engineering and tech lead to above-average starting salaries.
Given our comparisons:
- Social sciences: $[/tex]38,049 < [tex]$48,707 (False)
- Education: $[/tex]40,267 < [tex]$48,707 (False)
- Humanities: $[/tex]38,049 < [tex]$48,707 (False)
- Engineering and tech (Engineering and Computer Science): Both are > $[/tex]48,707 (True)
Thus, the best-supported conclusion by the information in the chart is:
- Majors in engineering and tech lead to above-average starting salaries.
