In 1982 the approximate average cost of operating a subcompact car for

Question

AVERAGE COSTS OF OPERATING SUBCOMPACT, COMPACT, AND MIDSIZE CARS IN THE UNITED STATES, 1982～1986

In 1982 the approximate average cost of operating a subcompact car for 10,000 miles was

(A) $360

(B) $3,400

(C) $4,100

(D) $4,500

(E) $4,900

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Official Answer

B

generis · Accepted Answer

Per the question, we need to consider only the year 1982, and to consider only the opaque black vertical bar, which, as we can see from the legend, corresponds to a subcompact car.

The  title  of the chart is  AVERAGE COSTS  OF OPERATING . . . SUBCOMPACT . . . CARS . . . , 1982～1986

The  y-axis  is  cost per mile for 10,000 miles , and though it doesn't mention "average," the question doesn't ask about the other years.

The vertical black column indicates that, to operate a subcompact car in 1982, it cost approximately 34 cents per mile for 10,000 miles.

(.34)(10,000)= $3,400

Answer (B)

amanvermagmat · Answer

We can observe that the five values for subcompact car are approximately:
0.33, 0.33, 0.36, 0.4, 0.4

Their average = (0.33+0.33+0.36+0.4+0.4)/5 = 0.36
This needs to be multiplied by 1000. So 0.36*10000 = $ 3600

Closest option is B, thus  B is the answer

Abhishek009 · Answer

Good observation, will love to state that since the given options are wide apart, this is the quickest way of solving which definitely comes into mind and is handly during the actual test.

RDel · Answer

Observation 1 : Average cost per mile in $ is given 
Observation 2 : The Q is only about : 1982 + Sub Comp Segment + for 10,000 miles
Observation 3 : For SC segment the value is between 0.3 to 0.4, hence the figure for 10,000 miles will be between 3000$ and 4000$
Observation 4 : Only 1 suitable option - (B) 3400$.

Probus · Answer

Hi  chetan2u ,

Ca you help resolve my query.

The graph shows cost per mile which i can say is  \frac{ Total cost incurred for driving a car in particular year}{total miles driven } =\frac{ Total cost incurred for driving a car in particular year}{10,000) 
Is my interpretation of graph correct.

the we are asked average cost for driving 10,000 miles for a particular variant in a particular year.

This mean we need to multiply Cost per mile of that particular variant in that particular year with 10,0000

So cost per mile of asked variant in the year 1982 is between more than .3 but less than .4

So say we have Choice B as our answer.

chetan2u · Answer

You are correct in your observation.

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In 1982 the approximate average cost of operating a subcompact car for

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