Statistics Canada gives the following mortality data for Canada in 2011. $$\begin{array} { l | c }
{ \text { Cause of Death } } & \text { Percent } \
\hline \text { Cancer } & 29.9 \
\text { Heart disease } & 19.7 \
\text { Stroke } & 5.5 \
\text { Respiratory diseases } & 4.6 \
\text { Accidents } & 4.4
\end{array}$$ Is it reasonable to conclude that cancer or accidents were the cause of approximately 34.3% of deaths in 2011?
A)No,because the percentages do not add up to 100%.
B)Yes,because these categories do not overlap.
C)Yes,because the percentages can always be added in relative frequency tables.
D)No,because the percentages in relative frequencies tables can never be added.
E)No,because these categories overlap.

Question

Statistics Canada gives the following mortality data for Canada in 2011. $$\begin{array} { l | c } 
{ \text { Cause of Death } } & \text { Percent } \
\hline \text { Cancer } & 29.9 \
\text { Heart disease } & 19.7 \
\text { Stroke } & 5.5 \
\text { Respiratory diseases } & 4.6 \
\text { Accidents } & 4.4
\end{array}$$ Is it reasonable to conclude that cancer or accidents were the cause of approximately 34.3% of deaths in 2011?
A)No,because the percentages do not add up to 100%.
B)Yes,because these categories do not overlap.
C)Yes,because the percentages can always be added in relative frequency tables.
D)No,because the percentages in relative frequencies tables can never be added.
E)No,because these categories overlap.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cancer and accidents are separate categories, and therefore their percentages do not overlap. It is reasonable to conclude that the sum of their percentages represents the proportion of deaths due to these causes, which is 34.3%. The fact that the percentages do not add up to 100% is not relevant to this conclusion. Option C is also correct, but option B is more precise in explaining why it is reasonable to add the percentages of cancer and accidents. Options A, D, and E are incorrect.

Statistics Canada Gives the Following Mortality Data for Canada in 2011