The U.S. Office of Management and Budget has developed a classification system that defines geographic areas based on the size of the population that is contained within them. The U.S. Census Bureau uses these statistical areas to collect, tabulate, and publish various reports on demographic profiles and economic activity. Based on Figure 3-A above, which of the following best defines a metropolitan division within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex?
a.
the counties in the darker shaded areas (e.g. Grayson [Sherman-Denison], Collin, Delta, Dallas, Kaufman, Johnson, Tarrant, Parker, Wise, etc.)
b.
the cities of Mineral Wells, Gainesville, Bonham, Athens, and Granbury (within their respective counties) in the lighter shaded areas
c.
the counties of Wise, Parker, Tarrant, and Johnson bounded by the black line
d.
the Fort Worth-Arlington area (within Tarrant county) that is within the darker shaded area
e.
the entire set of counties in the light and darker shaded areas
Answer: the counties of Wise, Parker, Tarrant, and Johnson bounded by the black line