1

Introduction
Data Interpretation forms one of the most critical areas of different general and entrance examinations. It
accounts 10-20 questions in the MBA entrance examination, 20-25 questions in Bank examination,
10-15 questions in SSC examination etc., therefore, its understanding and its inherent concepts will help
the students to score maximum in different examination.

Data Interpretation
Data Interpretation is drawing conclusions and inference from a comprehensive data presented numerically in tabular form
or pictorial form by means of an illustration, graphs, pie charts etc. Thus the act of organizing and interpreting data to get
meaningful information is data interpretation.
It is an extension of mathematical skill and accuracy. Soundly knowledge of quantitative techniques is prerequisite for good
performance in this section. Since, all such questions may require a fair amount of calculations, one should be able to multiply
and divide quickly using shortcut methods. So, here we are providing a quicker and clear concepts, shortcut methods of these
chapters in view of their essence in solving the performs of Data Interpretation.
A detailed study on the pattern of questions appearing in this section for various competitive examinations has concluded
that Data Interpretation is mainly the game of three chapters of arithmetic namely Percentage, Average and Ratio.

1. Percentage
The term per cent means for every hundred. A fraction
whose denominator is 100 is called a percentage and the
numerator of the fraction is called the rate per cent. It is
denoted by the symbol %.
1
x
x %=
=
x
100 100
Percentage is a very useful tool for comparison in the
analysis of data. For example, in their captaincy Sourav
Ganguly has won 127 matches out of 205 matches and Rahul
Dravid has won 64 matches out of 140 matches.
This can however, be better comprehended in a percentage
form, which is for
127
Success rate of Ganguly =
100% = 6195
. %
205
64
Success rate of Dravid =
100% = 45.71%
140

This reveals that as a captain, Ganguly is more successful

than Dravid.
Percentage Equivalent of Important Fractions
1
1
=6 %
4
16

1
= 20%
5

3
= 60%
5

1
1
=9 %
11
11

1
= 25%
4

2
2
= 66 %
3
3

1
= 10%
10

1
1
= 33 %
3
3

3
= 75%
4

1
1
= 11 %
9
9

2
= 40%
5

4
= 80%
5

1
1
= 12 %
2
8

9
= 45%
20

1
7
= 87 %
2
8

2
1
= 14 %
7
7

1
= 50%
2

9
= 90%
10

2
1
= 16 %
3
6

11
= 55%
20

1 = 100%

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

The Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

Interpretation of Data Involving the Percentage

Rule 1 To find by how much per cent x is more or less than y (or over y) or compared to y.
Required percentage =
=

Value of x - Value of y
100
Value of y

(when x > y )

Value of y - Value of x
100
Value of y

(when x < y )

The denominator part contains the value with which the comparison is made.
Rule 2 To find the percentage change in any value, say x compared to the other value, say y.
x -y
\ Required percentage change (c) =
y
If c is positive, then there is percentage increase in the value of x over y (percentage growth) and if c
is negative, then there is percentage decrease (percentage decline) or negative growth.
Rule 3 Two percentage values cant be compared unless the base values are known.
Rule 4 Two percentage values can be compared in terms of percentage values but not in absolute values
when the base values are same although base values are not known.

4. Find in how many countries the production of cars has

Calculation of Percentage

increased by less than 5% in 2008 over last year.

1. Find 79% of 429.

Figure (in 000 tonne)

Sol. 79% = 80% - 1%

Countries

80% = 4 / 5 i.e., 4 / 5 429 = 4 858

. = 343.2
1% = 4.29
~ 343.2 - 4.29 ~ 339
\ 79% of 429 -

India
USA

2. Find 361% of 2345.

Sol.

361% = (300 + 50 + 10 + 1 )%

300% = 3 2345 = 7035

50% = 1 /2 2345 = 1172.5
10% = 1 /10 2345 = 234.5
1% = 1 /100 2345 = 23.45
~ 8465
Required 361% = 7035 + 1172.5 + 234.5 + 23.45 -

3. How much per cent of 1795645 is 64598?

Sol. Required percentage =

64598
100% = 3.6%
1795645

But you are not required to find the exact value as you
have to choose only one option and only approximate
value is sufficient to solve your problem.
Therefore, approximate percentage
6
~ 6 100% = 10 % = 3.33%
=
100 % 180
178
3

2007

2008

700

760

900

940

China

1760

1860

Japan

1500

1580

Italy

1160

1218

Sol. Increment in production of cars in 2008 over 2007

in India =
in USA =

760 - 700
700
940 - 900

100% = 8.57%

100% = 4.44%
900
1860 - 1760
in China =
100% = 5.68%
1760
1580 - 1500
in Japan =
100% = 5.33%
1500
1218 - 1160
in Italy =
100% = 5%
1160
Clearly, only in one country USA production of cars has
increased by less than 5% in 2008 over last year.
Note You can solve this type of questions as given below.

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

Introduction

5. Find in how many years the production of sugar has

decreased by more than 30% over the previous year.
Years

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Production in
million tonne

974

726

524

276

184

Sol. Method I
Decrement in the production of sugar over previous year
974 - 726
in 2005 =
100% = 25.5%
974
726 - 524
in 2006 =
100% = 27.8%
726
524 - 276
in 2007 =
100% = 47.3%
524
276 - 184
in 2006 =
100% = 33.3%
276
Thus, in two years 2007 and 2008, decreased in the
production of sugar is more than 30%.
30
x
Method II In this case, 1 .
= 1 = 070
100 100
Step 1.

726 524
974 726

276 184
524 276

form is said to be in the simplest form. Usually, a ratio is

expressed in the simplest form.

Ratio of Equality, Greater Inequality or

Lesser Inequality
A ratio is said to be a ratio of equality, greater or lesser
inequality according as first term also known as antecedent
is equal to or greater than or less than to second term also
known as consequent. In other words,
the ratio a : b, where a = b is called a ratio of equality.
(e.g., 1 : 1 , 2 : 2 etc.)
the ratio a : b, where a > b is called a ratio of greater
inequality. (e.g., 3 : 2, 4 : 3 etc.)
the ratio a : b, where a < b is called a ratio of lesser
inequality. (e.g., 3 : 5, 4 : 7 etc.)
Rule 1 A ratio of equality is unaltered, a ratio of greater
inequality is diminished and a ratio of lesser
inequality is increased, if the same positive quantity
is added to both its terms.
Let a/b be the given ratio and x be a positive
quantity and x > b.
a +x a
a
If =1, then
= =1
b +x b
b
a +x a
a
If >1, then
<
b
b +x b
a +x a
a
If <1, then
>
b +x b
b
n

Step 2. 074
.
072
.
0.52 066
.

Therefore, in two years (2007 and 2008), the production

of sugar has decreased by more than 30% over the
production in the previous year.

2. Ratio
Ratio is compared by division of the measure of two
quantities of the same kind.
If a, b are two quantities of the same kind (a,b 0), then the
a
quotient (which is clearly a number without any unit is
b
called the ratio ofa andb). It is written asa : b (read asa is tob).
The quantitiesa andb are called terms of the ratioa : b, a is the
first term and b is the second term.
A ratio can be expressed in several ways, i.e., a : b is equal to
ma :mb, since the quotient does not change when we divide
(or multiply) the dividend and the divisible by same non-zero
number, say m. For example, 2 : 3 = 4 : 6 = 20 : 30 = 200 : 300
=2m : 3m. In the ratio 2 : 3, the two terms 2 and 3 have no
common factors other than 1. The ratio expressed in this

Rule 2 A ratio of equality is unaltered, a ratio of greater

inequality is increased and a ratio of lesser
inequality is diminished, if same positive quantity is
not greater than the smaller term be subtracted from
each of its terms.
a
Let
the given ratio, x be a positive
b
quantity and x < b.
a -x a
a
If =1, then
= =1
b
b -x b
a -x a
a
If >1, then
>
b -x b
b
a -x a
a
If <1, then
<
b
b -x b
n

(here, students are advised that they should try assuming

certain values and check the results.)

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

The Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

Interpretation of Data Involving the Ratio

Rule 1 To evaluate a ratio 7/470 (say), where numerator << denominator, it is always better to reverse it
and divide 470 by 7 (reverse operation) as
~ 67, Remainder 1. So, the given ratio ~ 1
470 7 67
16.35
Rule 2 To evaluate a ratio
(say), where numerator << denominator and also the numerator is a
384
decimal number, it is always better to first approximate it to a closest fraction involving integers
only and then apply the reverse operation.
16.35 ~ 16
Therefore,
, then dividing 384 by 16, we get 24 as the result.
384 384
~ 1 ~ 4 ~ 4 ~ 4
Therefore, given ratio 24 96 95 94
Rule 3 To find the highest and the lowest among the ratios (<1) when numerator << denominator.
Step 1. Apply reverse operation, i.e., straight aways divide the denominator of the ratio by the numerator to
find how many times the denominator is of the numerator.
Step 2. Maximum number of times will indicate the lowest ratio and minimum number of times will
correspond to the highest ratio.

Rule 4 To find the highest and the lowest among the ratio (<1) when numerator < denominator .
Step 1. Approximate the given ratio (if the number of digits in numerator / denominator is more than 2).
Step 2. Multiply the numerator by 10 and get the resultant fraction.
Step 3. Find only integer value of the resultant fraction.
Step 4. If any of the integer value of the resultant fraction are same, then find the next decimal place and
so on.
Step 5. Compare the value of the resultant fraction. The maximum ratio will have the maximum value.

Rule 5 To find the value which constitutes the maximum part (or portion) or minimum part of the total
value.
a
is maximum when a > b
If a and b are the two values constituting the total value ( = a + b ), then
a +b
a
and
is minimum when a < b.
a +b

6. Find the highest and the lowest among the following

14 34 29 41
,
,
,
.
340 602 571 741

Sol. Step 1. Apply reverse operation.

340 602 571 741
,
,
,
.
14 34 29 41
Step 2. Number of times
24 17 19 18 (take only integer values)

Maximum value Minimum value

Lowest ratio

7. Find the highest and the lowest among the following

673 526 850 902
,
,
,
.
727 613 951 998
67 52 85 90
Sol. Step 1. Approximated as , , , .
72 61 95 99
670 520 850 900
Step 2. Multiply by 10;
.
,
,
,
72 61 95 99
Step 3. 9.3
8.5
8.9 9.0
673
526
is the highest ratio and
is the lowest
Hence,
727
613
ratio.

Highest ratio

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

Introduction

3. Average
Average is a very simple but effective way of representing an
entire group by a single value.
Average of a group is defined as
Average =

Sum of all items in the group

Number of items in the group

Sum of all the items in the group means sum of the values of
all the items in the group.
A batsmans performance can be expressed as the average
number of runs scored per innings rather than giving the
scores of individual innings. For example, let us say MS
Dhoni scored the following runs in 9 different innings in a
test series45, 66, 134, 39, 10, 97, 108, 55 and 85. Then, his
average score per innings in that particular test series
45 + 66 + 134 + 39 + 10 + 97 + 108 + 55 + 85
=
= 71
9
Similarly, if there are 50 students in a class, instead of talking
of the height of each individual student, we can talk of
average height of the class. The average height of the class

of students is equal to the sum of the heights of all the

students in the class divided by the number of students in the
class.
Average is also called the mean or mean value of all the
values.
In other words, if x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ,..., x n be n numbers, then their
x + x 2 +K + x n
average = 1
n

8. Find the average number of bikes sold over the period

2004-08.
Year

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Number of bikes

400

500

760

940

1100

Sol. Average number of bikes sold over the period

Total number of bikes sold over the period

=
=
=

Total number of years

400 + 500 + 760 + 940 + 1100
5
3700
= 740
5

Interpretation of Data Involving the Average

Rule 1 If the value of each item is increased by the same value k, then the average of the group of items will
also increase by k.
Rule 2 If the value of each item is decreased by the same value k, then the average of the group of items will
also decrease by k.
Rule 3 If the value of each item is multiplied by the same valuek, then the average of the group of items will
also be multiplied by k.
Rule 4 If the value of each item is divided by the same value k (k 0), then the average of the group of items
will also be divided by k.
Rule 5 The average of a group of items will always lie between the smallest value and the largest value in
the group i.e., the average will be greater than the smallest value and less than the largest value in
the group.
Rule 6 To find the value of which year (or the entry in a table) is close to the average value of given period.
Step 1. Find the average value of the given period.
Step 2. Find the difference = Any value (or entry) Average value
Minimum the difference, closer the value to average.
Step 3. If the difference is same for any two different values (or entries), then find the percentage deviation
Difference
over the average i.e.,
100
Average
Since, difference is same, so more the average, less the percentage deviation, closer the value to the average.

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

The Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

Sum of the total height of the entire class

Total number of students in the entire class

Weighted Average
When two groups of items are combined together, then we
can talk of the average of the entire group. However, if we
know only the average of the two groups individually, we
cannot find out the average of the combined group by items.
For example, there are two sections A and B of a class where
the average height of section A is 150 cm and that of section B
is 160 cm. On the basis of this information, we cannot find the
average of the entire class (of the two sections together). As
discussed earlier, the average height of the entire class is

In other words, if x 1 is the average of n1 numbers, x 2 is the

average of n2 numbers, x 3 is the average of n 3 numbers and
so on, then average of all (n1 + n2 + ...) numbers
=

n 1 x 1 + n 2 x 2 + n 3 x 3 +K
n 1 + n 2 + n 3 +K

Presentation of Data
The raw data collected in any investigation is so voluminous that they are unwieldy and incomprehensible. Having collected
and edited the data, the next step is to organize them in a condensed form that will highlight the main characteristics, facilitate
comparisons and render them suitable for further processing and interpretation. Top management people rarely find time to
go through the entire details of any report, its daily production or the sales forecast. An effective presentation of data enables
them to draw upon the information with the least effort and time.

Effective presentation of data is broadly classified into the following categories.

1. Data Tables
Tables are often used in reports, magazines and newspapers
to present a set of numerical facts. They enable the reader to
make comparisons and to draw quick conclusions. It is one of
the easiest and most accurate way of presenting data.
One of the main purpose of tables is to make complicated
information easier to understand. The advantage of
presenting data in a table is that one can see the information
at a glance.
While answering questions based on tables, carefully read
the table title and the column headings. The title of the table
will give you a general idea of the type and often the purpose
of the information presented. The column headings tell you
the specific kind of information given in that column. Both
the table title and the column headings are usually very
straight forward.
For Example, The data pertaining to the production of motorbikes
in India is represented in the following table.

Production of Motorbikes in India

Years

Pulsar

CBZ

Freedom

Total

2000-01

531972

291419

338577

1161968

2001-02

614624

318926

334583

1268133

2002-03

655519

329255

395970

1380744

2003-04

722791

350844

359287

142922

2004-05

1014784

798976

510924

2324684

The above table pertains to the data on the production of

motorbikes, yearwise from 2000-01 to 2004-05. Further the table
also divides the production of motorbikes by categories viz. Pulsar,
CBZ and Freedom. Thus, it is possible to get a picture of the
production of different types of motorbikes in India over a span of
five years.
n

If we want to find the contribution of CBZ in terms of the

percentage of the total production in 2002-03, then its value
=

Production of CBZ in 2002 -03

100%
Total production of motorbikes in India in 2002 -03

329255
100%
1380744

~
- 23%
n

If we want to find the growth rate of Freedom motorbikes in India

from 2001-02 to 2002-03, then its value
Production of Freedom in 2002 -03
Production of Freedom in 2001-02
=
100%
Production of Freedom in 2001-02
=

395970 - 334583
100%
334583

61387
100%
334583

~ %
-18

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

Introduction

Directions (Q.

Nos. 9-13) Study the given table

carefully and answer the questions given below.
Number of employees working in various departments of ABC Ltd.
Departments
Years

12. In which year did each department have a larger

number of employees that it had in the immediately
preceding year?
(a) 2002
(c) 2001

(b) 2004
(d) 2003

1999

150

25

50

45

75

Sol. (d) From the table, it is clear that in the year 2003,
each department has a larger number of employees than
it had in the immediately preceding year, i.e., 2002.

2000

225

40

45

62

70

13. Which department had less than 10% of the total

2001

450

65

30

90

73

number of employees through all the years shown in

the table ?

2002

470

73

32

105

70

2003

500

80

35

132

74

2004

505

75

36

130

75

Production Marketing Corporate Accounts Research

9. In which year did the total number of employees reach

twice the total number of employees that the factory
had in the year 1999?

2. Line (Cartesian) Graph

(b) 2001
(d) 2003

Sol. (b) Total number of employees in the year

1999 = 345 , 2000 = 442,
2001 = 708 , 2002 = 750,
2003 = 821 , 2004 = 821
Clearly, figure of year 2001 is closed to the double of
figure of the year 1999.

10. In which department did the number of employees

remain the same during the year 1999 and 2004?
(a) Production
(c) Research

(b) Corporate
(d) None of these

Sol. (c) Clearly, number of employees in research

department is the same in the year 1999 and 2004.
11. What is the approximate percentage increase in the
number of employees in production department from
1999-04?
(a) 237%
(c) 201%

(b) Corporate
(d) None of these

Sol. (a) Clearly, marketing department had less than

10% of the total number of employees through all the
years shown in the table.

(b) 152%
(d) None of these

The line graph simplifies the data interpretation, as it is a

pictorial presentation of data and is therefore very useful for
determining trends and rate of change. The slope of the line
graph helps in comparing the magnitude of change between
any two consecutive points on the graph. Steeper the slope,
greater is the change in magnitude between the two
consecutive points.
For Example,
The following graph shows the profit percentage of WIPRO in
various respective years.
60

Profit per cent

(a) 2000
(c) 2002

(a) Marketing
(c) Accounts

50
40
30
20
10

Sol. (a) Number

of

employees

in

production

department

2000

in 1999 = 150
505 - 150

2002
Years

2003

2004

If we want to find to ratio of the per cent profits of the company in

the year 2001 to 2000, then its value

in 2004 = 505
\ Required percentage increase =

2001

100%
150
355
~ 237%
=
100% 150

Per cent profit in 2001 50

=
= 2 :1
Per cent profit in 2000 25

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

The Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

10

Directions (Q. Nos. 14-15) These questions are based

on the following graph.

For Example,
The following graph shows the total profits of WIPRO (in ` crore) in
various years.

SL enterprises manufactures sprinklers

The companys sales data is given below.

90

850

60

300

1000

1100

860

250
225

190

50

200

1991

1992

100

the year
(b) 1988

(c) 1990

(d) 1991

Sol. (b) Percentage price rise

in 1990 =
in 1991 =

2000

2001

150 - 100
100
200 - 190
190
225 - 200
200

100% = 50%

2002

2003

2004

Year

Sales (in ` 000)

14. The maximum percentage price rise was displayed in

in 1988 =

20

10
0

1990

36

20

150

1989

50

40

150
1988

62

30

200

Sales (Units)

(a) 1987

70

310
900

82

80

Sales (in ` 000)

350

Profit

Sales (units)
1400
1300
1200
1100
1000
900
800
750
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
100
1987

If we want to find the per cent increase in the profit of WIPRO in the
year 2004 as compared to previous year, then its value
82 - 20
=
100%
20
62
=
100% = 310%
20

Directions (Q.

Nos. 16-17) Refer to the following bar

chart and answer the questions that follow.

100% = 5.26%

Indian's foreign trade in (in ` crore)

14000

100% = 12.5%
12000

Thus, percentage rise was maximum in the year 1988.

15. Find the percentage increase in sales (units) in 1989 as

compared to previous year.
(a) 4%
(c) 8%

(b) 6%
(d) None of these

10000
8000
6000

Sol. (b) Sales in 1988 = 850 units

4000

Sales in 1989 = 900 units

\ Required percentage increase =

900 - 850

100%

850
50
=
100%
850
= 5.88%
~ 6%
-

2000
0

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

Imports

1998-99

1999-2000

Exports

16. The percentage increase in imports between 1995-96

and 1999-2000 was
(a) 25%

(b) 125%

(c) 100%

(d) 75%

3. Bar Graphs

Sol. (c) Import in 1995-96 = ` 7000 Crore

Given quantities can be compared by the height or length of 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. In bar graphs, the data is discrete.
Presentation of data in this form makes evaluation of
parameters comparatively very easy.

Import in 1999-2000 = ` 14000 Crore

14000 - 7000
\ Required increase =
100%
7000
7000
=
100% = 100%
7000

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

Introduction

11

17. If oil imports constituted 20% of the total imports in

1997-98, then what percentage of the trade gap was
due to oil? (assuming that no oil is exported)
(b) 40%

(c) 85%

Sol. (b) Oil imports in 1997-98 =

Study to the following

pie chart carefully and answer the following questions.
National Budget Expenditure in the year 2000
(Percentage Distribution)

(d) 25%

20
13000
100

Trade gap in 199798 = 13000 - 6500 = ` 6500

2600
Hence, per cent of trade gap due to oil =
100%
6500

7%

M
i

9%
ry 5

= ` 2600 crore

s1

li t a

Oth
er

(a) 30%

Directions (Q. Nos. 18-19)

Veterans
6%
Interest on
debt 9% International
9%

= 40%

4. Pie Chart

18. If India in the year 2000, had a total expenditure of

` 120 billion, approximately how many billions did it
spend on interest on debt?

A pie chart is a circular chart divided into sectors either in

percentagewise or in degreewise. If distribution is
percentagewise, then total value of the chart is taken as 100%.
If distribution is degreewise, then total value of the chart is
taken as 360. The arc length and the area of each sector is
proportional to the quantity it represents.

(a) ` 12.4 billion

(c) ` 9.3 billion

(b) ` 8.4 billion

(d) ` 10.8 billion

Sol. (d) Total expenditure = ` 120 billion = 100%

\

Interest on debt = 9% of 120 = ` 10.8 billion

19. If ` 9 billion were spent in the year 2000 for veterans,

what would have been the total expenditure for that
year?

For Example, following pie chart shows the expenditure of a family.

(a) ` 100 billion

(c) ` 120 billion

Others
Groiery
7%
20%
Savings
15%
Education
25%
Clothes
8%
Mobile
Electricity bill
19%
6%

Sol. (d) ` 9 billion were spent for veterans. This

represents 6.0% of the total expenditure for the year
9
2000. Hence, total expenditure = 100 = ` 150 billion
6

Total income = ` 20000

If we want to find the difference between the expenditures on
education and clothes sectors, then its value
= 25% of 20000 8% of 20000

= 17% of 20000 = ` 3400

As an another example, the pie chart given below shows the
marks obtained by a student in different subjects.

Mathematics
90
English
60
SSc
54
Science
70

(b) ` 180 billion

(d) ` 150 billion

Hindi
80

5. Case Studies
In this form of data presentation, the data is given in the form
of a paragraph. The student is required to understand the
data presented in the caselet and convert it into a table for
solving the questions.

Directions (Q. Nos. 20-22)

The following caselet is an

example of a caselet based on reasoning. Five friends Anand,
Ashish, Aishwarya, Deepak and Mani pursue the following
professions in their careers : Human Resource, Law,
Chartered Accountancy, Engineering and Foreign
Relationship. They live in Ranchi, Patna, Kolkata, Delhi and
Meerut but not in that order.

Maximum marks of each subject 120

If we want to find the marks got by the student in Mathematics,
90
then its value =
120 = 30
360

Mani and Aishwarya do not live in Ranchi or Meerut and

neither of them is a lawyer or a chartered accountant.
Anand and Ashish are neither an expert in foreign
relationship nor an engineer and they do not live in Delhi
or Ranchi.
Deepak is neither a chartered accountant nor a human
resource professionals.

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

The Accredited Guide to Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency

12
n

n
n

The person living in Ranchi is neither an expert in foreign

relationship nor an engineer.
Anand does not live in Kolkata and Ashish is not a
chartered accountant.
Mani is not an expert in foreign relationship.
The expert in foreign relationship does not live in Delhi.

For Example, production of sugarcane in the world can be

presented with the help of bar graph and price of sugarcane can
be presented by line graph. Now, data represented by these
graphs are related to each other in one or other way,

World sugarcane production (in million kg)

60
50

20. Who lives in Ranchi?

40

Sol. We can easily answer the above question by using

the information given in the above caselet. The following
tables will result by using the direct clues between the
person and his place and the person and his profession.
The question is answered at this point itself since there is
only Deepak who could live in Ranchi.

30
20
10

21. Who is Chartered Accountant?

Sol. From the table we made, it is clear that Anand is

Sol. From the table, it is clear that either Deepak or

Mani lives in Delhi but we know that, Deepak lives in
Ranchi. Hence, Mani lives in Delhi.
Law

CA

Engg.

Anand
Ashish

Deepak

X
X

Mani

X
Ranchi

Patna

Foreign
Relationship

98-99 99-2000

66

65

64

60
55

54
52

50
48
45
95-96

X
Kolkata

Delhi

Ashish

Aishwarya

97-98

98-99

99-2000

Directions

Meerut

(Q. Nos. 23-25) Refer to the following

graphs and answer the questions based on them.
Votes polled in general elections
in 1984-85 (in millions)
1400

1200
1000

Deepak
X

96-97

Anand

Mani

97-98

70

22. Who lives in Delhi?

Aishwarya

96-97

Price of sugarcane in international market (per kg)

chartered Accountant.

HR

95-96

604.36

582.93

527.83

800

456.53

600

6. Mixed Graph

400

637.28

200

Among the graphs we have studied, if we have the

combination of two or more graphs, then it is called mixed
graph. It happens in cases when desired parameter is a
function of two or three variables. In such cases, information
is presented more than one type of graphs together.

North

555.42

541.69
South

West

Number of male voters

Number of female voters

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com

477.56
East

Introduction

13

Percentage of votes polled by different parties

Independent
7.26

477.56
=1.046
456.53

Thus, the male-female ratio is highest in North.

Others
20.83

Note No need to calculate for West as the resultant will be less than 1.

24. As per diagrams above in 1985, the number of women

Congress (I)
47.28

in 1985 per 50 men were

(a) 49
(c) 47

Congress (S)
6.45

Janata
10.69

(b) 51
(d) Cant be determined

Sol. (d) The data given in the above graphs shows the
number of voters. It means number of men and women
who are not eligible for voting are not given. Hence, we
cannot solve the above question.

BJP
7.49

23. Which region had the highest male-female ratio of

voters in 1984 -85 ?

25. What was the total number of votes polled by BJP in

1984 -85 elections?

(a) North
(c) West

(b) South
(d) East

(a) 165.67 million

(c) 2072.62 million

Sol. (a) Male-female ratio of voters

(b) 328.33 million

(d) 471.35 million

Sol. (b) Total votes polled in 1984 -85 elections

637.28
in North =
=1.05
604.36
541.69
in South =
=1.03
527.83

Experts
Advice

in East =

= 1241.64 + 1069.52 + 1138.35 + 934.09

= 4383.6 million
Votes polled in favour of BJP = 4383.6 7.49%
= 328.33 million

Before starting any shortcut or calculation technique, students are told about the level of
difficulty of questions as Data Interpretation mainly depends on the range of its options i.e.,
if values given in different options are very close to each other, then it requires more

time and more accuracy in solving the problems. On the other hand, if there is wide gap among the values provided
in different options of a problem, then it is easier to solve such type of the problem. And in such type of the problem,
we generally use approximation rather to find the exact answer. Again , range of approximation also depends, on the range of
options provided in a given problem.
For Example,
The data pertaining to the production of motorbikes in India is
represented in the following table.
Years

Pulsar

CBZ

Yamaha

Total

2003-04

420198

347925

226495

994618

2004-05

510692

428724

296205

1235621

2005-06

584605

396254

446576

1427435

2006-07

705642

570264

501254

1777160

2007-08

843456

625704

562398

2031558

Find the contribution of CBZ in terms of percentage of the total

production in 2004-05 year.
Example

(a) 17.38

(b) 17.35

(c) 17.31

(d) 17.33

Example of close options to each other

(a) 17.11

(b) 17.5

(c) 17.35

(d) 17.82

(c) 17.35

(d) 19.45

Example of options having gap

(a) 16.84

(b) 18.22

Example of options having wide gap

(a) 11.32

(b) 17.35

(c) 20.42

(d) 26.33

From the above example, it is clear that for a single problem we have four levels of difficulty. It depends on the range of the given options.
So, students are suggested here before solving the problem, take a glance of all options and then decide the level of difficulty, level of
accuracy and level of approximation.

Arth DIGIBOOKs
www.arthdigibooks.com