How many equivalence classes are necessary for the following weight ranges in shipping?

To determine the number of equivalence classes for the weight ranges in shipping, it's essential to first understand the concept of equivalence classes in the context of testing. Equivalence partitioning is a technique used to create test cases that can reduce the total number of tests while still providing sufficient coverage. This is achieved by dividing input data into partitions such that all data points within a partition are expected to be treated similarly by the system under test.

In the context of weight ranges for shipping, you would typically define groups of weights that lead to the same processing or outcomes. For instance, if the shipping company has defined specific weight thresholds that determine rates or handling instructions, these can be categorized into different equivalence classes.

If we assume the weight ranges for shipping can be organized into logical divisions—say for example, below 5 kg, between 5 kg and 10 kg, between 10 kg and 15 kg, etc.—each of these ranges would represent a different equivalence class. It is crucial to identify how many distinct ranges or conditions exist without specifying the exact values.

In this case, the correct answer indicates that there are 5 equivalence classes necessary. This means that based on the weight ranges given, there are 5 distinct categories into