Questions: An editorial criticized a chart caption that described a dental floss as one that "reduces the chance of plaque on teeth by over 350 percent." What is wrong with this statement? Choose the correct answer below. A. The statement does not mention the initial amount of plaque. B. If plaque fell by 100%, it would be cut in half. Thus, a decrease of 200% means that it would be totally eliminated, and a decrease of more than 200% is impossible. C. The actual amount of the decrease in plaque is less than 100%. D. A reduction of 100% would eliminate all plaque, so it is not possible to reduce it by more than 100%.

Solution Steps

A percentage reduction indicates how much a quantity has decreased relative to its original value. A reduction of \(100\%\) means the quantity has been completely eliminated, as it represents the entire original amount.

The statement claims a reduction of "over \(350\%\)" in plaque. However, a reduction exceeding \(100\%\) is mathematically impossible because it would imply eliminating more than the original amount, which is not feasible.

• A. The statement does not mention the initial amount of plaque.
  This is irrelevant to the issue of percentage reduction exceeding \(100\%\).
• B. If plaque fell by \(100\%\), it would be cut in half. Thus, a decrease of \(200\%\) means that it would be totally eliminated, and a decrease of more than \(200\%\) is impossible.
  This is incorrect because a \(100\%\) reduction means complete elimination, not halving.
• C. The actual amount of the decrease in plaque is less than \(100\%\).
  This does not address the impossibility of a reduction exceeding \(100\%\).
• D. A reduction of \(100\%\) would eliminate all plaque, so it is not possible to reduce it by more than \(100\%\).
  This is correct because a reduction exceeding \(100\%\) is impossible.

The correct answer is D.

Final Answer