Which deduction applies to the smallest possible amount among the listed?

Which deduction applies to the smallest possible amount among the listed?

• A. Up to 0.20
• B. 0.05-0.10
• C. 0.15-0.20
• D. Up to 0.30

Answer: (B)

Think about the smallest amount a deduction could be under each option by looking at the lowest point of its range. The deduction that begins at five hundredths and goes to ten hundredths has the smallest starting point, so it can apply to the smallest possible positive amount. The other fixed ranges start higher (for example, at fifteen hundredths), so they can’t match a smaller minimum. The “up to” ones don’t fix a lower bound, but when you compare the explicit minimums, the five hundredths range is the smallest. In short, the option with the range starting at five hundredths represents the smallest nonzero deduction amount.

Think about the smallest amount a deduction could be under each option by looking at the lowest point of its range. The deduction that begins at five hundredths and goes to ten hundredths has the smallest starting point, so it can apply to the smallest possible positive amount. The other fixed ranges start higher (for example, at fifteen hundredths), so they can’t match a smaller minimum. The “up to” ones don’t fix a lower bound, but when you compare the explicit minimums, the five hundredths range is the smallest. In short, the option with the range starting at five hundredths represents the smallest nonzero deduction amount.