Question

The Mayors of two small towns that adjoin a large community have engaged in an argument on which of their cities is safer, with respect to its crime rate. City A has a residential population of 123,000 people and reported 185 violent crimes. City B has a residential population of 84,000 people and reported 135 violent crimes. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the reported crime rate per 100,000 residents in both cities?

2. Based on your responses to the previous question, which city has the lowest crime rate?

This calculation is discussed in the mini-lecture on Rates and Percentages.

	Population	100,000 units (Population/100,000	Reported crimes	Rate (Reported crimes/100,000 units
City A	123,000	1.23	185	150
City B	84,000	.84	135	160

Answer 1

1. Reported crime rate per 100000 residents,

City A= 185/1.23= 150.41=150 ( rounded off to whole number)

City B= 135/.84= 160.71= 161

2. So City A has the lowest crime rate.