math problem

Michael Pollak mpollak at panix.com
Mon Mar 8 09:56:50 PST 1999


On Mon, 8 Mar 1999, Doug Henwood wrote:


> *Though, as LBO subscribers know, if you count the incarcerated population
> as unemployed - almost 8% of all black adult males - then the unemployment
> rate for black men would rise from the reported 6.7% (in December) to 16.5%.

I'm so embarrassed to ask this question, because I know it will have a simple answer and I'll look like a fool. But I can't help it, it's bugging me. If 6.7% of black men are unemployed, and 8% are in prison, then why isn't the combined rate 6.7 + 8 + 14.7%?

Michael

__________________________________________________________________________ Michael Pollak................New York City..............mpollak at panix.com



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