To determine the percentage of adults who preferred sports cars that were males, we need to use the data provided in the table.
1. Identify the relevant values from the table:
- The number of males who preferred sports cars: 38
- The total number of adults who preferred sports cars: 84
2. Set up the calculation for the percentage:
- The formula for percentage is [tex]\(\text{Percentage} = \left(\frac{\text{Part}}{\text{Whole}}\right) \times 100\)[/tex].
- In this case, the part is the number of males who preferred sports cars, and the whole is the total number of adults who preferred sports cars.
3. Substitute the values into the formula:
[tex]\[
\text{Percentage} = \left(\frac{38}{84}\right) \times 100
\][/tex]
4. Perform the division and multiplication to find the percentage:
- [tex]\(\frac{38}{84} \approx 0.45238\)[/tex]
- [tex]\(0.45238 \times 100 \approx 45.238\)[/tex]
5. Round the result to a reasonable number of decimal places, typically two decimal places:
- 45.238 rounded to two decimal places is approximately 45.24.
6. Compare the result with the given choices:
- (1) 15.8
- (2) 45.2
- (3) 64.4
- (4) 82.6
7. Determine the closest matching choice:
- The closest value to 45.24 is (2) 45.2.
Therefore, the percentage of adults who preferred sports cars that were males is approximately 45.2%. Thus, the correct answer is choice (2).
