The rate of smoking, globally, is higher now than ever before

Question

The rate of smoking, globally, is higher now than ever before. In fact, 20% more people smoke today than did 20 years ago. In the nation of Ebano, 20% of people smoke; in Paisi, 25%. And in the last twenty years, the number of people who smoke increased by 13% in Kitton and 27% in Kappa.

Which of the following conclusions can most properly be drawn from the information above?

A. There are more smokers in Paisi than in Ebano.
B. There were fewer smokers in Kappa twenty years ago then there are in Paisi today.
C. The world's population is less than 120% of its value 20 years ago.
D. The average rate of smoking in any of the world's countries must be at least 13%.
E. At no point over the last 20 years was the world's smoking rate less than 13% below the rate 20 years ago.

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Folks who have reviewed E-gmat's quantitative argument probably remembers how to approach this question. Please show your thought process!

Kurtosis · Accepted Answer

Facts: 20% more people smoke today than did 20 years ago.
Ebano: 20% of people smoke
Paisi: 25% of people smoke

Last 20 yrs: N(people) who smoke increased by 13% in Kitton and 27% in Kappa

A. There are more smokers in Paisi than in Ebano. - Incorrect. Cannot be inferred. We know the percentage of smokers, but we do not know the actual population of Ebano and Paisi.

B. There were fewer smokers in Kappa twenty years ago then there are in Paisi today. - Incorrect. Again, we do not know the actual numbers.

C. The world's population is less than 120% of its value 20 years ago. - Correct.
20 yrs back, Assume N(people) = 1000, Rate = 10%, N(smoke) = 100
Now, N(people) = 1.2*1000 = 1200, Rate > 10%, N(smoke) > 120 --> Contradicts the stated fact that 20% more people smoke today
For the fact to hold true, N(people) < 1200 i.e. < 120% of its value 20 years ago

D. The average rate of smoking in any of the world's countries must be at least 13%. - Incorrect. Out of scope. Cannot be inferred.

E. At no point over the last 20 years was the world's smoking rate less than 13% below the rate 20 years ago. - Incorrect. Out of scope. Cannot be inferred

Answer: C

paidlukkha · Answer

in all options except C, it talks about number & not rate

C is the only option which talks about % :D

devbond · Answer

The rate of smoking, globally, is higher now than ever before. In fact, 20% more people smoke today than did 20 years ago. In the nation of Ebano, 20% of people smoke; in Paisi, 25%. And in the last twenty years, the number of people who smoke increased by 13% in Kitton and 27% in Kappa.

Which of the following conclusions can most properly be drawn from the information above?

A. There are more smokers in Paisi than in Ebano. --   No way to conclude this with the given data . 
B. There were fewer smokers in Kappa twenty years ago then there are in Paisi today.--  No way to conclude this with the given data . 
 C.  The world's population is less than 120% of its value 20 years ago .  --If this was not true, the conclusion would break easily .So this is the inference.
D. The average rate of smoking in any of the world's countries must be at least 13%. --   We only have data of few countries and with that we cant find world average . 
E. At no point over the last 20 years was the world's smoking rate less than 13% below the rate 20 years ago.--   Totally irrelevant  /b]

DharLog · Answer

First of all. We have no information about numbers of people living in different countries. We have just a percentage.

A. There are more smokers in Paisi than in Ebano.  Do not know anyting about numbers of people in these countries. 
B. There were fewer smokers in Kappa twenty years ago then there are in Paisi today.  Same as A 
D. The average rate of smoking in any of the world's countries must be at least 13%.  Not necessary. It may be 10% in one country and 30 in another. 0%!!! in one and 40 in another... 
E. At no point over the last 20 years was the world's smoking rate less than 13% below the rate 20 years ago.  Of course it may be true. But not necessary again. The rate could fall (-20% for example) in first years and then rise (+50%) in next years. And it will be +20% 
C. The world's population is less than 120% of its value 20 years ago.  This option is left - so it is the answer. And this is good one.   Lets assume that there is 125% of population now. There was x% of smoking people 20 years ago, now it is x+20% from x = 1.2x. So the rate of smoking people for today 1.2x/125%<x%. But the passage says tous that today's rate is higher than ever before. So it can not be! 120% is our treshold. Population for today < 120%

VerbalBot · Answer

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The rate of smoking, globally, is higher now than ever before

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