LET’S TRY ONE
Town A records 20 events among 1,000 residents; B records 30 among 3,000. Which has the higher event rate?
Town A
A has 20 per 1,000; B has 10 per 1,000.
Learning steps & teaching tips
Normalize invented population counts and distinguish relative change from raw totals.
- Identify the event count, population base and time period.
- Calculate the rate using the supplied convention.
- Compare rates without claiming that they explain causes by themselves.
Try it together
Make two imaginary town records with different populations. Compare total events, events per 1,000 residents and percentage change.
Use the stated denominator and time period; raw counts and rates answer different questions.