Compare the quantity requested
Distinguish a total from an average rate.
The idea
An increase in a total does not imply an increase per trip or per person. Divide by the corresponding exposure before comparing.
A method to try
- Identify the numerator and denominator for each period.
- Compute each rate separately.
Follow the reasoning.
A service handles 180 requests in 6 hours on Monday and 200 in 8 hours on Tuesday. Which day has the higher requests-per-hour rate?
- Monday’s rate is 180/6 = 30 requests per hour. Tuesday’s is 200/8 = 25 requests per hour.
- Tuesday has the larger total, but Monday has the higher rate. The longer observation period explains why comparing totals alone can be misleading.
- Always retain the unit after division. Requests per hour is a different measurement from requests, and that distinction determines which numerical comparison answers the question.
Think it through first.
A route doubles both its passenger total and number of trips. What happens to passengers per trip?
Show the explanation
It stays the same.
Multiplying both numerator and denominator by the same nonzero factor leaves their ratio unchanged.
Make it your own
After reading, explain the method in your own words and identify the condition that makes it valid. Then try the linked starter practice without referring back to the worked example. Review the reasoning behind an error before repeating the same item; remembering an answer is different from being able to solve a new problem.
This lesson is one part of a short starter pathway. It does not cover the full exam syllabus or establish a predicted score.
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