Numbers don't have points of view or preferences - but the people who interpret numbers do. This is why people with different points of view can interpret the same facts and figures differently. Smart readers always ask themselves: Is this a fact - or an interpretation of a fact? Can this fact be interpreted differently?
Read the paragraph and answer the question below.
New data show that sales tax went up from 8% to 10% this year.
Supporters of the government's policy said that the rate of sales tax went up by only 2% this year (from 8% to 10% = 2%).
People who did not agree with the government's policy said that sales tax increased by 25% this year (10% - 8% = 2% but 2:8 = 1:4 = 25%).
Which answers below explain why the same figures can be interpreted differently? Choose the 3 correct answers.
