A government agency has 6000 employees. As an alternative to the traditional five day work week, employees were asked whether they preferred a four day work week (10
Hours per day) or flexible hours. The table below shows the results by age category.
Which of the following statements is true about work week preferences and age
Category? $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | }
\hline \text { Age Category } & \begin{array} { l }
\text { Prefers 4 } \
\text { Day Week }
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l }
\text { Prefers Flex } \
\text { Hours }
\end{array} \
\hline \text { Under 30 } & 600 & 300 \
\hline 30 - 45 & 1200 & 1500 \
\hline \text { Over 45 } & 2100 & 300 \
\hline
\end{array}$$
A) Work week preferences are independent of age category.
B) Work week preferences are mutually exclusive.
C) Work week preferences are not independent of age category.
D) Work week preferences are independent and mutually exclusive.
E) There is insufficient information to determine whether work week preferences and
Age category are independent or mutually exclusive.

Question

A government agency has 6000 employees. As an alternative to the traditional five day work week, employees were asked whether they preferred a four day work week (10
Hours per day) or flexible hours. The table below shows the results by age category.
Which of the following statements is true about work week preferences and age
Category? $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | } 
\hline \text { Age Category } & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Prefers 4 } \
\text { Day Week }
\end{array} & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Prefers Flex } \
\text { Hours }
\end{array} \
\hline \text { Under 30 } & 600 & 300 \
\hline 30 - 45 & 1200 & 1500 \
\hline \text { Over 45 } & 2100 & 300 \
\hline
\end{array}$$
A) Work week preferences are independent of age category.
B) Work week preferences are mutually exclusive.
C) Work week preferences are not independent of age category.
D) Work week preferences are independent and mutually exclusive.
E) There is insufficient information to determine whether work week preferences and
Age category are independent or mutually exclusive.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that different age categories have different preferences for work week options implies that work week preferences are not independent of age category. If they were independent, we would not observe any patterns of preference variation by age. Mutually exclusive options are those that cannot occur at the same time (i.e. choosing one option precludes choosing the other option). It is possible for individuals in all age categories to prefer one option over the other, so work week preferences are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, the best choice is C.

A Government Agency Has 6000 Employees A) Work Week Preferences Are Independent of Age Category