Countable and non-countable

[Gavan]

With a salary of less than 15 thousand dollars and fewer sources of alternate income than before, Mrs. G is in financial difficulty.
a.less than 15 thousand dollars and fewer
b.lower than 15 thousand dollars and less
c.lower than 15 thousand dollars and fewer
d.fewer than 15 thousand dollars and less
e.of fewer than 15 thousand dollars and of fewer

[HSPA]

the number of sources is countable - fewer for sources only A/C/E stands

Assuming the text is correctly underlined - Eliminate E as we do not need 'of of'

with a salary less than 15k - as 15k is an amount we can use less.

IMO A > C but I did not find reason to eliminate C.

[avik.ch]

IMO A > C but I did not find reason to eliminate C.

less : it can act as an adjective ( noun modifier), adverb( verb modifier ) and as a noun
lower : always act as an adjective

With a salary(noun) of less(noun)......

lower cannot be used here, as it is an adjective.


I hope this helps !!