I10-03

Question

https://gmatclub.com/gmat-focus-tests/resources/import/img/I10-03.png  
 
The graph shows state-level changes in corn and soybean acreage in the United States from January 2006 through December 2008.
 
Select from each drop-down menu the option that creates the most accurate statement based on the information provided.

The state that experienced the second largest increase in combined corn and soybean acreage during the period shown in the graph was  GRAPH_1_PLACEHOLDER .

The range of change in combined corn and soybean acreage among the states during the period shown in the graph was approximately  GRAPH_2_PLACEHOLDER  times the largest increase in soybean acreage of any state during the same period.

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

Drop-down 1: 
 
First, notice that the  x -axis (corn acreage) ranges from -200 to 1,400, while the  y -axis (soybean acreage) ranges from -1,000 to 400. Clearly, the state that experienced the largest increase in combined corn and soybean acreage was South Dakota (SD), with a total increase of approximately 1,200 + 200 = 1,400. The second largest increase appears to be in North Dakota (ND), with a net increase of approximately 900 + (-100) = 800.
 
 Drop-down 2: 
 
The range of change in combined corn and soybean acreage can be found by subtracting the largest decrease from the largest increase. The largest increase, as calculated above, was for South Dakota (SD) at 1,400. The largest decrease must be for Illinois (IL), at 750 + (-950) = -200. Thus, the range of change is 1,400 - (-200) = 1,600.
 
The largest increase in soybean acreage was for Tennessee (TN), at approximately 350.
 
Therefore, the range of 1,600 is approximately  \frac{1,600}{350} \approx 5  times the largest increase in soybean acreage of 350.

Correct answer:

Dropdown 1:  "ND"

Dropdown 2:  "5"

Bunuel · Answer

I have revised the question, solution, and formatting by adding more details to enhance clarity

anushree01 · Answer

What a Question, especially the second one here! very intuitive

raghuveerrao · Answer

I did not quite understand the solution. SD is at 1200, not 1400....why is it taken 1400 ?

Bunuel · Answer

South Dakota's total increase is 1,200 (corn) + 200 (soybeans) = 1,400. The solution uses 1,400 because it sums both changes.

svy · Answer

I did not quite understand the solution. The explanation of drop down 2 is not very clear.

Bunuel · Answer

The question is asking about combined change, not corn alone and not soybean alone. So for each state, you first add the two coordinates:
 combined change = corn change + soybean change.

South Dakota has the largest combined change: about 1200 + 200 = 1400. Illinois has the smallest combined change: about 750 + (-950) = -200.

So the range of combined change is 1400 - (-200) = 1600.

Then the question compares that range to the largest soybean increase alone, which is Tennessee at about 350. Since 1600/350 is about 4.6, the answer is approximately 5.

I10-03

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards