The graph shows, for each of 12 randomly selected dates, the number of cats housed in a facility that cares...

Owning the Dataset

Table 1: Text Analysis

Table 2: Chart Analysis

Key Insights

The dataset tracks how the cat population at a shelter often pressed against or exceeded space guidelines. Notably, several dates before March 2016 show the facility housing more cats than permitted by its original room size, indicating repeated non-compliance. After doubling its space in March 2016, compliance improved, but at least one date in July 2016 shows a population of 35 cats, surpassing even the expanded capacity. This pattern reveals both increasing demand on the shelter and the ongoing challenge of adhering to space requirements during population surges.

Step-by-Step Solution

Question 1: 2015 Non-Compliance Dates

Complete Statement:

Based on the information provided in the graph and in the accompanying text, on exactly [BLANK 1] of the 2015 dates shown, the facility was NOT in compliance with the stated guideline for floor space per cat.

Breaking Down the Statement

• Statement Breakdown 1:
  • Key Phrase: 2015 dates shown
    Meaning: We only consider the data points from the year 2015.
    Relation to Chart: We must extract the cat counts for each 2015 date shown in the chart.
    Important Implications: Only the 2015 data is relevant for this blank.
• Statement Breakdown 2:
  • Key Phrase: NOT in compliance with... floor space per cat
    Meaning: The facility did not meet the requirement of at least 1 square meter per cat.
    Relation to Chart: Compare the number of cats to the available space for each date.
    Important Implications: Any date where the number of cats exceeded the available meters squared is non-compliant.

What is needed: The number of 2015 dates where the number of cats exceeded the available floor space (\(15\mathrm{m}^2\): one room).

Solution:

• Condensed Solution Implementation:
  Check each 2015 date on the graph; on each, compare the number of cats to the available space (\(15\mathrm{m}^2\) before March 2016).
• Necessary Data points:
  Cat counts for 2015: March 16 (5), May 1 (14), June 13 (13), August 4 (10), October 31 (18), December 31 (8). Available floor space: \(15\mathrm{m}^2\).
  • Calculations Estimations:
    18 cats on October 31, 2015 exceeded \(15\mathrm{m}^2\) (1 per cat). All other 2015 dates have 15 or fewer cats.
  • Comparison to Answer Choices:
    Only one 2015 date is non-compliant. If answer choices include 0, 1, 2, etc., then the correct choice is 1.

FINAL ANSWER Blank 1: 1

Question 2: 2016 Non-Compliance Dates

Complete Statement:

Based on the information provided in the graph and in the accompanying text, on exactly [BLANK 2] of the 2016 dates shown, the facility was NOT in compliance with the stated guideline for floor space per cat.

Breaking Down the Statement

• Statement Breakdown 1:
  • Key Phrase: 2016 dates shown
    Meaning: We only consider the data points from the year 2016.
    Relation to Chart: We must extract the cat counts for each 2016 date shown in the chart.
• Statement Breakdown 2:
  • Key Phrase: facility was NOT in compliance with the stated guideline
    Meaning: The facility did not provide at least 1 square meter per cat.
    Relation to Chart: Compare number of cats to available floor space: \(15\mathrm{m}^2\) for Feb 2016; \(30\mathrm{m}^2\) (two rooms) from March 2016 on.

What is needed: The number of 2016 dates where the number of cats exceeded the available floor space (Feb 2016: \(15\mathrm{m}^2\); from Mar 2016: \(30\mathrm{m}^2\)).

Solution:

• Condensed Solution Implementation:
  Check each 2016 date on the graph. For February 17, compare to \(15\mathrm{m}^2\); for all later dates, compare to \(30\mathrm{m}^2\).
• Necessary Data points:
  Cat counts for 2016: February 17 (18), April 8 (26), June 5 (28), July 16 (35), October 2 (23), November 12 (25).
  • Calculations Estimations:
    February 17: \(18 \gt 15\) (non-compliant). July 16: \(35 \gt 30\) (non-compliant). All other 2016 dates have cat counts within their corresponding limits.
  • Comparison to Answer Choices:
    Two 2016 dates are non-compliant. If answer choices include 0, 1, 2, etc., then the correct choice is 2.

FINAL ANSWER Blank 2: 2

Summary

To solve: For each year, use the appropriate maximum number of cats per the available space, check the graph, and count how many dates exceeded that limit. Result: 1 non-compliant date in 2015, 2 in 2016.

Question Independence Analysis

The blanks are independent. Each examines a different year, with its own data and floor space constraint. Finding one answer does not depend on the other.