Question

The table shows the annual profits (in millions of dollars) of an online skateboard company from 2017 to 2021. Positive numbers represent gains, while negative numbers represent losses. Which statement describes the profit over the five-year period?
2017 = -2.4

2018 = 0.45

2019 = -6.5

2020 = -2.4

2021 = 3.75

Loss of $2.3 million

Gain of $2.3 million

Answer 1

To understand the profit over the five-year period, we need to sum the annual profits from each year:

- 2017: -2.4 million
- 2018: +0.45 million
- 2019: -6.5 million
- 2020: -2.4 million
- 2021: +3.75 million

Now, let's calculate the total profit:

\[
-2.4 + 0.45 - 6.5 - 2.4 + 3.75
\]

Calculating it step-by-step:

1. \(-2.4 + 0.45 = -1.95\)
2. \(-1.95 - 6.5 = -8.45\)
3. \(-8.45 - 2.4 = -10.85\)
4. \(-10.85 + 3.75 = -7.1\)

The total profit over the five-year period is \(-7.1\) million dollars.

This indicates a loss of 7.1 million dollars over the five-year period. Therefore, the statement that describes the profit over the five-year period would be "Loss of $7.1 million."

Based on the options you provided, neither "Loss of $2.3 million" nor "Gain of $2.3 million" is accurate, as the total loss is $7.1 million.