2017 Maths AS/A Levels
LARGE DATA SETS
Let’s first check that we can interpret the graph correctly. In the year 1980 the graph shows
the UK is at approximately 30%. So the top 10% of earners get 30% of the total income of
the UK in 1980.
In the year 2011 the UK is at approximately 40%. A greater proportion of the UK’s income
is shared by the top 10% of earners in 2011 than in 1980. What factors may have caused
this to happen?
Which historical events in the last century may have had an effect on the graphs? For
example the Second World War was from 1939-1945.
Is there anything suspicious in the data? The graph for the UK looks surprisingly flat in the
1920s and early 1930s. Was data being collected? There is a discontinuity on the graph of
the UK just before 1990, what does this mean?
Can you think of any countries where the pattern would be significantly different?
What would the graph look like for the top 1% of earners?
Data to investigate these questions and further information about the data can be found at
http://www.wid.world/ then select “The Database”.
What do you think the trend will be for the next 50 years? Don’t forget to come back and
check if your hunch was correct!
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AE 05/04/2016
Version 1.0