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

Question

variances for five months.

Sales Above/Below Avg. (Millions)
Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
-2.5 -1 1/2 2.5 -1.6 2 1/2


→.
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 the specified months:

1. April sales vs. May sales:
   April sales were +2.5 million (above average), while May sales were -1.6 million (below average).
   Therefore, April sales > May sales.

2. February sales vs. March sales:
   February sales were -2.5 million (below average), while March sales were -1.5 million (below average but higher than February).
   Therefore, February sales < March sales.

3. June sales vs. April sales:
   June sales were +2.5 million (above average), while April sales were also +2.5 million (above average).
   Since both are equal, we say June sales = April sales.

So the symbols to complete the comparisons are:

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