tuanquang269
The number of patents granted to inventors by the United States Patent Office dropped from 56000 in 1971 to 45000 in 1978. Spending on research and development, which peaked at 3 percent of the gross national product (GNP) in 1964, was only 2.2 percent of the GNP in 1978. During this period, when United States percentage was steadily decreasing, West Germany and Japan increased the percentage of their GNP’s spent on research and development to 3.2 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.
Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the information above?
(a) There is direct relationship between the size of a nation’s GNP and the number of inventions it produces.
(b) Japan and Germany spent more money on research and development in 1978 than did the United States
(c) The amount of money a nation spends on research and development is directly related to the number of inventions patented in that nation.
(d) Between 1964 and 1978 the United States consistently spent a larger percentage of its GNP on research and development than did Japan.
(e) Both West Germany and Japan will soon surpass the United States in the number of patents granted to inventors.
OA later some discussion
Premises:
- Patents in US dropped from 56000 in 1971 to 45000 in 1978.
- Spending on R&D, dropped from 3 percent of GNP in 1964, to 2.2 percent of the GNP in 1978.
- From 1964 to 1978, West Germany and Japan increased R&D spending to 3.2 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. (So in 1964, their spending was less than 3.2% and 1.6% respectively and they increased it to these numbers by 1978)
(a) There is direct relationship between the size of a nation’s GNP and the number of inventions it produces.
No link given between the site of GNP and number of inventions in the argument. We might think that often, this will be the case but we are asked for the conclusion supported by the argument given. Hence this will not be our answer.
(b) Japan and Germany spent more money on research and development in 1978 than did the United States
We don't know the relative GNP of the three countries and hence we cannot say who actually spent more/less money.
(c) The amount of money a nation spends on research and development is directly related to the number of inventions patented in that nation.
Again, the link is not given in the argument. All we are given is that in US, in a certain time frame, number of patents reduced and % of GNP spent on R&D reduced. There is no connection between number roof patents and money spent. Also, even if money spent had also reduced in US in that time frame, it doesn't imply that that will always be the case. A nation could spend a ton of money on R&D but be unable to come up with any inventions.
(d) Between 1964 and 1978 the United States consistently spent a larger percentage of its GNP on research and development than did Japan.
From 1964 to 1978, Japan increased its % of GNP spending on R & D from a smaller value (say 1%) to 1.6%.
From 1964 to 1978, US decreased its % of GNP spending on R & D from 3% to 2.2%.
In this entire time frame, US is spending more (as a % of GNP) than Japan. Hence, this is correct.
(e) Both West Germany and Japan will soon surpass the United States in the number of patents granted to inventors.
We have no numbers on the number of patents of both countries hence we cannot conclude this.
Answer (D)