Approximately how many (not percentage) of the fifty-five delegates to the Constitutional Convention were farmers?
A. 26
B. 74
C. 41
D. 14
Answer (2)
Analyze the problem: Estimate the number of farmers among 55 delegates.
Consider historical context: Agriculture was a major occupation.
Eliminate invalid options: 74 is not possible since there were only 55 delegates.
Make an educated guess: 26 is a reasonable estimate.
Explanation
Problem Analysis We are asked to estimate the number of farmers among the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention. We don't have the exact percentage or number, so we need to make a reasonable estimation based on the context of the time period.
Historical Context During the time of the Constitutional Convention, a significant portion of the population was involved in agriculture. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that a notable number of delegates were farmers. We need to choose the most plausible number from the given options: 26, 74, 41, and 14.
Eliminating Invalid Options First, we can eliminate option 74 because the total number of delegates was only 55, so there couldn't have been 74 farmers. This leaves us with 26, 41, and 14.
Making an Educated Guess Given that agriculture was a primary occupation, let's consider that roughly half or a significant portion of the delegates might have been farmers. Among the remaining options, 26 and 41 seem more plausible than 14. Without additional information, it's challenging to determine the exact number. However, considering the context, 26 seems like a reasonable estimate.
Final Answer Therefore, based on the historical context and the available options, a reasonable estimate for the number of farmers among the 55 delegates is 26.
Examples
Understanding the composition of historical conventions, like the Constitutional Convention, helps us appreciate the diverse backgrounds and interests that shaped foundational documents. Estimating the number of farmers among the delegates illustrates the significant role agriculture played in the economy and society of that era. This type of estimation can be applied to analyze the representation of various professions or demographics in other historical or contemporary assemblies, providing insights into the priorities and influences at play. For example, we might estimate the number of small business owners in a modern economic summit to understand their impact on policy discussions.
The estimated number of farmers among the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention is approximately 26. This estimate considers the historical context of the time when farming was a prominent occupation. Therefore, the chosen answer is A. 26.
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