An online bookseller averages net sales of $12 million per month. The table shows monthly variances for five months.

Question

A 5-column table with 1 row titled Sales Above/Below average (millions). Column 1 is labeled February with entry negative 2.5. Column 2 is labeled march with entry negative 1 and one-half. Column 3 is labeled April with entry 2.5. Column 4 is labeled May with entry negative 1.6. Column 5 is labeled June with entry 2 and one-half. A number line going from negative 3 to positive 3.

Which symbol correctly completes each comparison?

April sales
May sales
February sales
March sales
June sales
April sales

Answer 1

To compare the sales for each month based on the data from the table, we first need to clarify the sales performances in relation to the average of $12 million per month:

• February: $12 million - $2.5 million = $9.5 million
• March: $12 million - $1.5 million = $10.5 million
• April: $12 million + $2.5 million = $14.5 million
• May: $12 million - $1.6 million = $10.4 million
• June: $12 million + $2.5 million = $14.5 million

Now we can establish the comparisons:

1. April sales vs May sales:
   April ($14.5 million) > May ($10.4 million)
   Symbol: >

2. April sales vs February sales:
   April ($14.5 million) > February ($9.5 million)
   Symbol: >

3. February sales vs March sales:
   February ($9.5 million) < March ($10.5 million)
   Symbol: <

4. March sales vs June sales:
   March ($10.5 million) < June ($14.5 million)
   Symbol: <

5. June sales vs April sales:
   June ($14.5 million) = April ($14.5 million)
   Symbol: =

Summary of comparisons:

• April sales > May sales
• April sales > February sales
• February sales < March sales
• March sales < June sales
• June sales = April sales