Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The absolute difference is the non-negative difference between two values.
Here, we must compute the new absolute numbers of Ph.D students using the revised hypothetical populations for both states and then calculate the difference.
Key Formula or Approach:
- Revised Population A = 95000, Revised Population B = 125000.
- Absolute Difference = \(| \text{Ph.D}_B - \text{Ph.D}_A |\).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us compute the number of Ph.D students with the new populations:
- For State A:
- Percentage of Ph.D students = \(8\%\)
- New population = 95000
\[ \text{Ph.D}_A = 95000 \times 0.08 = 7600 \]
- For State B:
- Percentage of Ph.D students = \(10\%\)
- New population = 125000
\[ \text{Ph.D}_B = 125000 \times 0.10 = 12500 \]
- Calculating the Absolute Difference:
\[ \text{Absolute Difference} = | 12500 - 7600 | = 4900 \]
Step 3: Final Answer:
The absolute difference is 4900 (Option C).