In which year is the percentage increase in the average daily earnings of men over the preceding year, the maximum ?

Answer: Option C

\begin{aligned} & \text{% increase in 2004,} \\ & = \frac{66.90-59.50}{59.50}\times100 \\ & = 12.44\% \\ & \\ & \text{% increase in 2003,} \\ & = \frac{59.50-48.60}{48.60}\times100 \\ & = 22.43\% \\ & \\ & \text{% increase in 2002,} \\ & = \frac{48.60-40.90}{40.90}\times100 \\ & = 18.83\% \\ & \\ & \text{% increase in 2001,} \\ & = \frac{40.90-35.80}{35.80}\times100 \\ & = 14.25\% \\ & \\\end{aligned}
Thus, maximum increase in daily earning of men over preceding year is in 2003