How can the number of acres treated per minute be affected by the swath width?

The number of acres treated per minute is significantly influenced by the swath width because it directly determines the area covered by each pass of the applicator. When the swath width is wider, more area is covered with each pass, which leads to an increase in the total number of acres treated per minute. This is due to the greater breadth of coverage that allows for fewer passes to be needed to treat a given area.

Conversely, a narrower swath width results in less area being treated with each pass, effectively decreasing the rate at which acres are covered in a minute. With a smaller coverage area, more passes would be required to treat the same amount of land, thereby reducing the overall efficiency and amount of acres treated in the same time frame.

Therefore, both scenarios indicate that swath width impacts the efficiency of pest control applications, justifying the selection of the answer indicating that both the wider swath increases acres treated and a narrower swath decreases acres treated are correct.