The graph displays the total number of farms and the average size of a

Question

https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=65892 The graph displays the total number of farms and the average size of a farm in the United States for each recorded year (shown on the x-axis) between 1850 and 2012. Based on the graph, please answer the questions that follow. 1. In 1964, the number of farms in the United States was GRAPH_1_PLACEHOLDER the number of acres in the average farm size. 2. Between 1925 and 2012, the total number of farm acres in the United States GRAPH_2_PLACEHOLDER . The Last question based on this stem can be found here. 2.jpg

false9 · Answer

1. B. Units are different for both, number of farms are in millions and average farm size is in acres.

2. A. Total number of farm acres = number of farms * average farm size. Which didn't change much between 1925 and 2012

3. D. Farmland in US in 1974 is greater than 4 million farms * 200 acres of average farm size, so greater than 800,000,000 
 acres.

zhanbo · Answer

Question 1 : In 1964, the number of farms in the United States was _______________ the number of acres in the average farm size. My answer is  (B) .

In 1964, the number of farms in the United States was approximately 3.2 million = 3.2 X 10^6
In 1964, the number of acres in the average farm size is approximately 3.5 X 10^2

Question 2 : Between 1925 and 2012, the total number of farm acres in the United States ____________. My answer is  (A)

In 1925, the total number of farm acres is approximately 1.7X10^2 * 6.2X10^6 = 10.54*10^8
In 2012, the total number of farm acres is approximately 4.2X10^2 * 2X10^6 = 8.4X10^8
No significant change. Hence (A) remained about the same

Question 3 : In 1974, farmland in the United States occupied ____________. My answer is  (D) .

2.5X10^6 * 4.2*10^2 = 10.5X10^8 > 800,000,000, which is 8X10^8

sshwetima · Answer

In 1964, the number of farms in the United States was _______________ the number of acres in the average farm size.

A. about equal to 
B. significantly greater than
C. significantly less than

Between 1925 and 2012, the total number of farm acres in the United States ____________.

A. remained about the same
B. increased significantly 
 C. decreased significantly

In 1974, farmland in the United States occupied ____________.

A. less than 8,000,000 acres
 B. between 8,000,000 and 80,000,000 acres  - lower limit - 2,000,000 farms/100acres* 400 acres
C. between 80,000,000 and 800,000,000 acres
D. greater than 800,000,000 acres

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Competition mode is off now!

This is a hard question. OA is posted, It is:

B, A, and D

Not surprisingly good job done by  zhanbo

Good luck with the upcoming questions.

boat32674 · Answer

Question 2

By the calculation , Between 1925 - 2012 , the total number of farm acres decrease = 2.14 * 10^8 acres  How could this be no significant change?

cheshire · Answer

The size of the farms increased while the number of farms decreased. They correlate inversely during this time period so the total acreage of farm land remains about the same.

iliagigauri · Answer

Regarding the question 2 solution, I disagree that 10.54*10^8 is anywhere close to 8.4*10^8.
The change that took place was completely substantial. We are talking about 213,000,000 less farm acres, or in other words -25%.

cheshire · Answer

I calculated it myself and got 1,020,000,000 in 1925 (170*6,000,000) and 1,008,000,000 in 2012 (420*2,400,000) which is a very small change. I do agree though that if it was actually a 20% decrease that would warrant a significant change.

iliagigauri · Answer

It's not 2,400,000 but instead 2,000,000 which changes your calculation drastically. 
instead of comparing 1,020,000,000 with 1,008,000,000, you need to compare it with 840,000,000. Now the difference is substantial and easily visible, which warrants a significant change.

cheshire · Answer

Now that I look at it again I do agree my numbers aren't accurate, I assumed the graph lines in the background actually matched with the data and weren't just decorative. I made my own reference lines that actually match the data and came up with new numbers: As you mentioned, 2,000,000*420 is about right for 2012 but now my data for 1925 is very clearly off. It looks more like 140*6,200,000 now that I have a better look. 2,000,000*420 is 840,000,000 and 140*6,200,000 is 868,000,000 which is still pretty close. If you find anything wrong please point it out.

I added lines at the half way points on the y axis and lines at the specified x values.

iliagigauri

It's not 2,400,000 but instead 2,000,000 which changes your calculation drastically.
instead of comparing 1,020,000,000 with 1,008,000,000, you need to compare it with 840,000,000. Now the difference is substantial and easily visible, which warrants a significant change.

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iliagigauri · Answer

You are totally right, I realized that without the lines I was also far off the truth. Thanks for clarifying, the answer finally makes sense!
It would be tricky to create accurate lines and arrive to correct numbers without the tools we've used, but hopefully the exam will have more indicative lines compared to the raw picture in the question.

The graph displays the total number of farms and the average size of a

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