I14-12

Question

https://gmatclub.com/gmat-focus-tests/resources/import/img/I14-12.png 
 
The graph shows the percent change in the area of different land cover types across five states (DE, MD, PA, VA, and WV) as well as for these five states combined, from 1982 to 1997.
 
Select from each drop-down menu the option that creates the most accurate statement based on the information provided.

If in 1997 Pennsylvania's (PA) rural land coverage equaled the average rural land coverage of the five states combined, then in 1982 Pennsylvania's rural land coverage was  GRAPH_1_PLACEHOLDER  of the combined rural land coverage for all five states.

If Delaware (DE) and Maryland (MD) had similar acreage of land under crop in 1997, Delaware would have had approximately  GRAPH_2_PLACEHOLDER  more acreage of cropland as compared to that in Maryland in 1982.

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

Drop-down 1: 
 
Both Pennsylvania and the five states combined experienced a 40% increase in rural land coverage from 1982 to 1997. Thus, if in 1997 Pennsylvania's rural land coverage equaled the average for the five states combined, then in 1982 it also equaled the average, making Pennsylvania's rural land coverage 1/5, or 20%, of the total for the five states.
 
 Drop-down 2: 
 
Assuming Maryland's cropland acreage in 1982 was 100 acres, then after a 10% drop by 1997, it would have 90 acres. Since Delaware and Maryland had the same cropland acreage in 1997, Delaware also had 90 acres. Given that Delaware experienced a 35% drop from 1982 to 1997, its 1982 cropland acreage would be  \frac{90}{0.65}\approx 140  acres. Therefore, in 1982, Delaware (140 acres) had 40% more cropland acreage than Maryland (100 acres).

Correct answer:

Dropdown 1:  "20%"

Dropdown 2:  "40%"

Bunuel · Answer

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

Aditya777 · Answer

For drop down 2: if I do the same process starting with (DE) in 1982 with 100 acres instead of (MD) in 1982 with 100 acres and get the difference as ~30. Please help in understanding why would this be incorrect? Thanks

Bunuel · Answer

Assuming Delaware cropland acreage in 1982 was 100 acres, then after a 35% drop by 1997, it would have 65 acres. Since Delaware and Maryland had the same cropland acreage in 1997, Maryland also had 65 acres. Given that Maryland experienced a 10% drop from 1982 to 1997, its 1982 cropland acreage would be 65/0.9 ≈ 72 acres. Therefore, in 1982, Delaware (100 acres) had 100/72 ≈ 1.4, or about 40% more cropland acreage than Maryland (72 acres).

shivangijorra · Answer

I like the solution - it’s helpful.

I14-12

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