MAT/106 MAT 106 MAT106 Unit 5: Module 5 – Assignment 2 Discussion: Misuse of Percentages – A Guaranteed!

Unit 5:
Module 5 – M5 Assignment 2 Discussion
Assignment 2: Use and Misuse of Percentages
One
of the concepts you encountered in the readings this module was how to
recognize the use and misuse of information presented in the form of percentages.
In this discussion assignment, you will conduct an Internet search to find
several examples of the use of percentages. These can be examples of
percentages used in advertising claims, reported results from a study, or
information shared by a government agency.
In a
minimum of 200 words, post to the Discussion Area your
response to the following:
Find
an example of twoof the following types of usage of
percentages.

Use of percentages as a
fraction. Remember that this type
will use the word of to imply multiplication. Explain
whether this was an effective way to represent this information within the
context of the example you found.
Use of percentages to describe
change. In the example you find,
determine whether the reported percentage demonstrated absolute or
relative change. Show your work. Explain whether this was an effective way
to represent this information within the context of the example you found.
Use of percentages for
comparison. In the example you find,
determine whether the reported percentage demonstrated absolute or
relative change. Show your work. Explain whether this was an effective way
to represent this information within the context of the example you found.

Now,
find an example of two of the following misuses of
percentages.

Use of a shifting reference
value.In this situation, the base
values are changing as differing values of percentages are applied as
increases, decreases, or both. Percentage increases, decreases, or both do
not have a cumulative effect. Be sure to demonstrate why your example fits
this category.
Use of percentage to represent
less than nothing. Look
for an example where you are seeing a reduction of some percentage greater
than 100. Be sure to demonstrate why your example fits this category.
Situation where the average
percentage is reported. In
general, you can not average percentages. The result isn’t representative
of what actually has occurred in the situation in question. Be sure to
demonstrate why your example fits this category.

By Sunday,
November 9, 2014, post your response to the appropriate Discussion
Area. Through Wednesday, November 12, 2014, review the postings
of your peers and respond to at least two of them. Consider commenting on the
following:

Examine each example that the
student provided. Did these examples sufficiently demonstrate the ways
that percentages are used and misused? Explain.
What have you learned regarding
the necessity of carefully examining the percentages reported in
advertising, news media, government reports, etc.?