184E - Data Interpretation

NGC-184-Data Interpretation : Mix Diagrams

You can compare several categories by a graph of the cumulative type. These are usually bar or line graphs where the height of the bar or line is divided up proportionately among different quantities.

Q. In 1986, roughly what percent of the federal prisoners received from the courts were guilty in other offenses ?

1. 10
2. 15
3. 25
4. 30
5. Data Inadequate

The total number of prisoners in 1986 was about 20,000, and guilty in other offences was about 5,000.

Since  5,000  =  1  = 25%,

20,000    4

the correct answer is (3).

In DI section of the question paper, the intention should be to attempt all questions as skipping them would amount to losing precious scoring opportunities. There are two approaches to arrive at the solution. One is to work on the data to arrive at the correct answer. The other one is the Elimination method which requires working backwards by eliminating the wrong choices. Though the elimation method is more time consuming, it may still be preferred where direct solution involves enormous calculation of data.

At times, examiners pose rather difficult data sets at the beginning of the sections. These are intended to be ‘SPEED BRAKERS’ which take away much of precious time. Therefore, as a rule, scan the whole section quickly before actually attempting the questions and start with easier part of the section.

In some exams, data are presented in more than one table or graph. The objective is to test not only quantitative skills but also relational and analytical ability. Recently, in some exams the questions in this section are being framed in caselet (paragraph) form, beginning with probability and reasoning questions. It is left to the reader to study the case, call out requisite data and arrange it in a suitable form for meaningful interpretation. It is best to arrange data with rough sketch to hasten comprehension.

Important Tips: These will help in saving time, reducing mistakes and finding solution easily.

1. Get a general picture of the information by looking at the entire table or graph.
2. Read the table title, nomenclatures of columns and rows.
3. Simplify the questions being asked. Break down lengthy questions into smaller parts.
4. Use only the information given for finding solutions. Select the appropriate data for answering a question.
5. Eliminate impossible choices.
6. Avoid lengthy calculations.
7. Try to interpret through trends of the data in the graph. Whenever possible, try to answer the questions by visualizing rather than by computing.
8. Where calculation is required prefer approximate values at the first stage. Go for exact calculation where values are close and require exact answer.
9. Be careful to use proper units.
10. Make correct use of your knowledge of basic mathematical rules, principles and formulae.
11. Don’t confuse in decimals and percent ages. For example, 0.5% = 0.005.
12. Use pencil or straight edge of the answer sheet to read the graph and find approximate values.
13. Focus your answer on the question actually asked and not on what the question should be in your opinion.
14. Never do anything that is unnecessary.
15. Last, but not the least, make sure that the answer is sensible and reasonable.

Directions: Study the pie-chart given to answer these questions.

Composition of Exports and Imports (per cent)

A—Agriculture and Allied Products

B—Ores and Minerals

C—Manufactured Goods

D—Crude and Petroleum Products

E—Capital Goods

Imports (2008–2009)

A—Food and Allied Products

B—Fuel

C—Fertilisers

D—Paper Board Manuf.and Newsprint

E—Others

F—Other Bulk Items

G—Others

1. India’s trade balance during the year 2008–09 was:

1. favourable
2. unfavourable
3. neutral
4. Profitable
5. Data Inadequate

Answer: 1. (2)

2. Maximum export contribution has been due to :

1. agriculture and allied products
2. ores and minerals
3. crude and petroleum products
4. manufactured goods.
5. Data Inadequate

Answer: 2. (4)

3. The import of capital goods and other bulk items incurred more than——of total import expenditure

1. 50%
2. 60%
3. 35%
4. 70%
5. Data Inadequate

Answer: 3. (1)

4. The imports exceeded by about——millions.

1. US$ 8000
2. US$ 8200
3. US$ 8199.4
4. US$ 8400
5. Data Inadequate

Answer: 4. (3)

5. The export of agriculture and allied products was to the tune of US$ :

1. 5700 millions
2. 6700 millions
3. 4700 millions
4. 1730 millions
5. Data Inadequate

Answer: 5. (1)

Data Interpretation : Line Graphs

Line graphs are used to show how a quantity changes continuously. Very often the quantity is measured as time changes. If the line goes up, the quantity is increasing; if the line goes down, the quantity is decreasing; if the line is horizontal, the quantity is not changing. To measure the height of a point on the graph, use your note board as a straight edge.

TRENDS IN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT, LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY,

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTPUT, 1980 TO 2007

(Index numbers, 1980 = 100)

Q. The ratio of productivity in 2007 to productivity in 1980 was about

1. 1 : 4
2. 1 : 3
3. 3 : 1
4. 4 : 1
5. Data Inadequate

In 2007 productivity had an index number of 400, and the index numbers are based on 1980 = 100. So the ratio is 400 : 100 = 4 : 1. Therefore, the answer is (4).

Directons: The graph given here shows a car following the linear path with uniform speed. Study the graph and answer the questions.

1. The speed of the car is

1. 12 km/hr
2. 6 km/hr
3. 18 km/hr
4. 24 km/hr

ANSWERS:

1. (2) The car covers 6 km in 1 hour.

Speed = 6 kmph

2. The speed of the car in metres per minute is

1. 60
2. 100
3. 600
4. 1000

ANSWERS:

2. (2) Speed = 6 kmph = 6 x 1000 m/min. = 100 m/min 


                                              60

3. The distance travelled by the car in 4.5 hours is

1. 27 km
2. 30 km
3. 36 km
4. 40 km

ANSWERS:

3. (1) Required distance = Speed × Time = 6 × 4.5 = 27 km

Data Interpretation : Bar Charts

Quantities can be compared by the height or length of a bar in a bar graph. A bar graph can have either vertical or horizontal bars. You can compare different quantities or the same quantity at different times.

DISABILITY BENEFICIARIES REPORTED AS REHABILITATED

(Number, as percent of all rehabilitated clients of state vocational rehabilitation agencie, years 1995-2011)

Q. Between 2007 and 2011, the lowest number of disability beneficiaries were reported as rehabilitated in the year

1. 2007
2. 2008
3. 2009
4. 2010
5. None of these

The answer is (1) since the lowest bar is the bar for 2007.

Directions: Given here is a multiple bar diagram depicting the changes in the students strength of a college in four faculties from 2000 – 2001 to 2002 – 2003. Study the diagram and answer the questions.

1. In which faculty was there a regular decrease in students’ strength?

1. Arts
2. Science
3. Commerce
4. Law
5. None of these

ANSWERS: (1)

2. The percentage of students in Science faculty in 2000–01 was

1. 26.9
2. 27.8
3. 29.6
4. 30.2
5. None of these

ANSWERS: (3) Number of students in all faculties taken together in 2000–01

= 600 + 400 + 200 + 150 = 1350


Number of students in science faculty = 400



=  Required percentage = 400 X 100 = 29.6%

1350

3. The total students strength in 2001–02 was how many times that of Commerce students in the same year?

1. 3
2. 4
3. 5
4. 6
5. None of these

ANSWERS: (4) Total students’ strength in 1991–92 = 550 + 500 + 250 + 200 = 1500

Students’ strength in commerce in 2001–02 = 250

= Required percentage = 1500 = 6 times

250

4. What was the percent increase in Science students from the year 2000–01 to 2002–03?

1. 50
2. 66 2/3
3. 75
4. 150
5. None of these

ANSWERS

(1) Students’ strength in Science in 2000–01 = 400 Students’ strength in Science in 2002–03 = 600

Increase  = 600 – 400 = 200

 =  Required percentage = 200 X 100 = 50%

400

 Data Interpretation : Pie Chart

Circle graphs are used to show how various sectors share in the whole. Circle graphs are sometimes called pie charts. Circle graphs usually give the percentage that each sector receives.

Q. The amount spent on materials in 2000 was 120% of the amount spent on

1. research in 2000
2. compensation in 2000
3. advertising in 2010
4. materials in 2010
5. Data Inadequate

In 2000, 18% of the expenditures were for materials. We want x where 120% of x = 18%; so x = 15%. Any category that received 15% of 2000 expenditures gives the correct answer, but only one of the five choices is correct. Here, the answer is (1) since research received 15% of the expenditure in 2000.

Example

Directions : Study the following information to answer the given questions.

Percentage of students in various courses (A, B, C, D, E, F) and Percentage of girals out of these. Total Student: 1200 (800 girls + 400 boys) Percentage in Various Courses

1. For which course is the number of boys the minimum?

1. E
2. F
3. C
4. A
5. Data Inadequate

2. How many girls are there in course C?

1. 44
2. 16
3. 40
4. 160
5. Data Inadequate

1. (4) Number of boys in course A is minimum i.e., zero.
2. (2) Number of girls in course C = 16