To answer the question regarding the casualty rates of Germany and Austria-Hungary, let’s follow a step-by-step analysis using given data:
1. Identify Total Forces and Total Casualties:
- Germany:
- Total forces: \(11,000,000\)
- Total casualties: \(7,142,558\)
- Austria-Hungary:
- Total forces: \(7,800,888\)
- Total casualties: \(7,020,000\)
2. Calculate the Casualty Rates:
The casualty rate is calculated as the ratio of total casualties to total forces, multiplied by 100 to get a percentage.
3. Casualty Rate Calculation for Germany:
[tex]\[
\text{Casualty Rate for Germany} = \left(\frac{7,142,558}{11,000,000}\right) \times 100 \approx 64.93\%
\][/tex]
4. Casualty Rate Calculation for Austria-Hungary:
[tex]\[
\text{Casualty Rate for Austria-Hungary} = \left(\frac{7,020,000}{7,800,888}\right) \times 100 \approx 89.99\%
\][/tex]
5. Comparison of Casualty Rates:
- Germany: \(64.93\%\)
- Austria-Hungary: \(89.99\%\)
From the calculations, it is clear that Austria-Hungary had a higher casualty rate (\(89.99\%\)) compared to Germany (\(64.93\%\)).
6. Interpret the Statements:
- "Germany had a lower percentage of forces killed than forces wounded."
- This is not comparing the casualty rates directly.
- "Germany had a lower number of total forces than Austria-Hungary did."
- This statement is incorrect because Germany had more total forces (\(11,000,000\)) compared to Austria-Hungary (\(7,800,888\)).
- "Austria-Hungary had a higher percentage of total forces killed and wounded than Germany did."
- This statement is accurate based on the calculated casualty rates.
- "Austria-Hungary had a higher number of total forces than Germany did."
- This statement is incorrect as well because Austria-Hungary had fewer total forces than Germany.
Therefore, the correct reason is:
"Austria-Hungary had a higher percentage of total forces killed and wounded than Germany did."
