Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 03:56 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 03:56
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
705-805 Level|   Graphs|      
User avatar
jack5397
User avatar
Joined: 13 Sep 2020
Last visit: 15 May 2025
Posts: 141
Own Kudos:
708
 [88]
Given Kudos: 278
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: ISB '27 IIMA '26 INSEAD '26
GMAT Focus 1: 575 Q79 V79 DI77
GMAT Focus 2: 575 Q80 V81 DI75
GMAT Focus 3: 635 Q82 V83 DI79
GMAT 1: 460 Q36 V18 (Online)
GPA: 3.8
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: ISB '27 IIMA '26 INSEAD '26
GMAT Focus 3: 635 Q82 V83 DI79
GMAT 1: 460 Q36 V18 (Online)
Posts: 141
Kudos: 708
 [88]
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 30 May 2024, 05:51
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
84
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide Answer
Hide
Show
History
Dropdown 1: 2 Dropdown 2: 3
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

85% (hard)

Question Stats:

62% (03:00) correct 38% (03:09) wrong based on 883 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
­

Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-import inspectors in a certain country test five samples from the batch. The graph shows the probabilities that a batch will be accepted based on the average (arithmetic mean) percentage of impure grains found in the samples. The four curves represent how the probabilities of acceptance vary given four different standards for the maximum acceptable number of samples that test positive (are found to contain one or more impure grains). If all five samples test positive, the batch will not be accepted.

Select from the drop-down menus the options that create the statement that most accurately reflects the information provided in the graph.

For a batch for which the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is percent, the probability that the inspectors will accept the batch is approximately 0.35 less if the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is than if it is 4.


Show Spoiler
This is from Official Mock 5
 ­
Show Spoiler
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-4uuum1gw.png
GMAT-Club-Forum-4uuum1gw.png [ 134.71 KiB | Viewed 4623 times ]
Submit Answer
Start the Timer above, select the dropdowns, and click "Submit" to add this question to your Error log.
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
Dropdown 1: 2 Dropdown 2: 3
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
chetan2u
User avatar
GMAT Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 11,238
Own Kudos:
43,702
 [6]
Given Kudos: 335
Status:Math and DI Expert
Location: India
Concentration: Human Resources, General Management
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Products:
My Reviews
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V89 DI81
Posts: 11,238
Kudos: 43,702
 [6]
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 03 Jun 2024, 08:41
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jack5397
­

Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-import inspectors in a certain country test five samples from the batch. The graph shows the probabilities that a batch will be accepted based on the average (arithmetic mean) percentage of impure grains found in the samples. The four curves represent how the probabilities of acceptance vary given four different standards for the maximum acceptable number of samples that test positive (are found to contain one or more impure grains). If all five samples test positive, the batch will not be accepted.

Select from the drop-down menus the options that create the statement that most accurately reflects the information provided in the graph.

For a batch for which the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is percent, the probability that the inspectors will accept the batch is approximately 0.35 less if the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is than if it is 4. ­
Show more
­This is a question from Official mock 5, so those yet to take the mock may skip the question to get a more realistic score when they take the mock.

The graph has a probability curve giving a relation between probability of the batch being accepted and the oercent impurity in it for different positive samples.
 
Reading the statement containing the dropdowns, I would be tempted to tackle the second blank first.
I know I would have to compare the 4 positive sample given by continous black curve with any of the three other lines that have a difference of exactly or close to 0.35 differnce on vertical axis.
Let us check how each curve behaves at the various percentages
3 and above: The black continous curve itself is below the 0.35 mark, so none other can give a difference of 0.35 from that line.
2: The black continous curve is at 0.62, while the black broken curve is at 0.27 and the other two lines closer to 0. Here we see the difference between the two black lines is 0.62 - 0.27 or 0.35.
The answer
Blank 2: the black broken curve, that is the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is 3.
Blank 1: The above difference happens when the x-axis is 2, that is the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is 2.
Show Spoiler
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-xgmjqu1v.png
GMAT-Club-Forum-xgmjqu1v.png [ 134.71 KiB | Viewed 4495 times ]
General Discussion
User avatar
playthegame
User avatar
Johnson Moderator
Joined: 19 Jan 2024
Last visit: 28 Mar 2025
Posts: 423
Own Kudos:
635
 [1]
Given Kudos: 146
Location: Canada
Concentration: Operations, Leadership
Schools: Johnson '27
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Johnson '27
Posts: 423
Kudos: 635
 [1]
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 02 Jun 2024, 09:06
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
So, I think this is an interesting question. It took me time to understand what they were asking for. Basically, we will need to read the graph for each case or 4 lines that are shown. Or in other words we will need to compare the dark black line for at most 4 positives with the three other lines, then read a value on the x axis that gives use a "% of impure grains" meaning which two lines will give us the 0.35 delta in probability.

Tough question to spot the 0.35 delta; if I got this on the exam I would guess and move on.
User avatar
ozzaayy
User avatar
Joined: 25 Jun 2021
Last visit: 23 Dec 2024
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
5
Given Kudos: 161
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Accounting
GPA: 9.054
Posts: 16
Kudos: 5
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 03 Jun 2024, 05:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I got a subtle hint after reading the comment. If the black line represents the 4 most positives, then the black line achieves acceptance rate 0.4 in the range of 2-3, it is somewhere between 2.5-2.7, and in case of 3.5 less probability of accepting in this same black line curve the graph is somewhere close to 1.5-2. Thus rounding off your answers will be 3 and 2.

I don't know I just guessed some expert reply would help in how to read these graphs
User avatar
sayan640
User avatar
Joined: 29 Oct 2015
Last visit: 10 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,179
Own Kudos:
813
Given Kudos: 783
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Posts: 1,179
Kudos: 813
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 07 Jun 2024, 17:16
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
KarishmaB GMATCoachBen marty Can you please help me on this question ?
User avatar
sayan640
User avatar
Joined: 29 Oct 2015
Last visit: 10 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,179
Own Kudos:
813
 [1]
Given Kudos: 783
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Posts: 1,179
Kudos: 813
 [1]
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 07 Jun 2024, 21:31
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
chetan2u , Can you please elaborate a bit more on the highlighted part ? Sorry for bothering you...but finding it difficult to understand that part from the explanation given . Thank you in advance.
chetan2u

jack5397
­

Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-import inspectors in a certain country test five samples from the batch. The graph shows the probabilities that a batch will be accepted based on the average (arithmetic mean) percentage of impure grains found in the samples. The four curves represent how the probabilities of acceptance vary given four different standards for the maximum acceptable number of samples that test positive (are found to contain one or more impure grains). If all five samples test positive, the batch will not be accepted.

Select from the drop-down menus the options that create the statement that most accurately reflects the information provided in the graph.

For a batch for which the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is percent, the probability that the inspectors will accept the batch is approximately 0.35 less if the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is than if it is 4. ­
­This is a question from Official mock 5, so those yet to take the mock may skip the question to get a more realistic score when they take the mock.

The graph has a probability curve giving a relation between probability of the batch being accepted and the oercent impurity in it for different positive samples.
 
Reading the statement containing the dropdowns, I would be tempted to tackle the second blank first.
I know I would have to compare the 4 positive sample given by continous black curve with any of the three other lines that have a difference of exactly or close to 0.35 differnce on vertical axis.
Let us check how each curve behaves at the various percentages
3 and above: The black continous curve itself is below the 0.35 mark, so none other can give a difference of 0.35 from that line.
2: The black continous curve is at 0.62, while the black broken curve is at 0.27 and the other two lines closer to 0. Here we see the difference between the two black lines is 0.62 - 0.27 or 0.35.
The answer
Blank 2: the black broken curve, that is the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is 3.
Blank 1: The above difference happens when the x-axis is 2, that is the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is 2.
Show more
­
Show Spoiler
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-45ltjxcs.png
GMAT-Club-Forum-45ltjxcs.png [ 134.71 KiB | Viewed 4056 times ]
User avatar
sayan640
User avatar
Joined: 29 Oct 2015
Last visit: 10 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,179
Own Kudos:
813
Given Kudos: 783
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Posts: 1,179
Kudos: 813
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 07 Jun 2024, 21:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
chetan2u , Why do you say that the black continous curve itself is below the 0.35 mark ? Kindly elaborate.
User avatar
KarishmaB
User avatar
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 16,267
Own Kudos:
76,989
 [5]
Given Kudos: 482
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,267
Kudos: 76,989
 [5]
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 08 Jun 2024, 00:49
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
jack5397
­

Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-import inspectors in a certain country test five samples from the batch. The graph shows the probabilities that a batch will be accepted based on the average (arithmetic mean) percentage of impure grains found in the samples. The four curves represent how the probabilities of acceptance vary given four different standards for the maximum acceptable number of samples that test positive (are found to contain one or more impure grains). If all five samples test positive, the batch will not be accepted.

Select from the drop-down menus the options that create the statement that most accurately reflects the information provided in the graph.

For a batch for which the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is percent, the probability that the inspectors will accept the batch is approximately 0.35 less if the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is than if it is 4.


Show Spoiler
This is from Official Mock 5
 ­
Show more
­At first look, the graphs are un-intuitive. One would expect that if fewer samples have impurities, a higher percentage of impurity would be allowed while accepting it. But it is not so.

The following is understandable:
With all samples having 0% impurities, probability of acceptance is 1. Will be accepted.
With 5 samples positive, probability of acceptance is 0. Will not be accepted.

Now comes the trickier part: With at most 1 sample with impurities, the acceptance rate falls dramatically as the percentage of impurities increase. While with at most 4 samples with impurities, the acceptance rate falls slowly as the percentage of impurities increase. 
We are given: The four curves represent how the probabilities of acceptance vary given four different standards for the maximum acceptable number of samples that test positive...
Hence, the graphs represent different standards. So let's not worry about this.

Let's skip to the question stem. Usually they help us figure out the answer easily.

For a batch for which the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is ____ (1/2/3/4) percent, the probability that the inspectors will accept the batch is approximately 0.35 less if the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is (1/2/3/4) than if it is 4.

Simple enough. Probability is given on the Y axis. So we need that probability should be .35 less for the graph which has maximum acceptable number of positive samples as 1, 2 or 3 compared to the graph which has maximum acceptable number of positive samples as 4 (solid black line).
So we need to find that the difference between the solid black line and any other line. The .35 difference on the Y axis happens between the solid black line and the thick dotted black line (at most 3 positives). This happens at the 2 percentage point on X axis. 

ANSWER:
2 percent
maximum acceptable number of positive samples 3
 
Show Spoiler
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-9lln7ool.png
GMAT-Club-Forum-9lln7ool.png [ 134.71 KiB | Viewed 3902 times ]
User avatar
sayan640
User avatar
Joined: 29 Oct 2015
Last visit: 10 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,179
Own Kudos:
813
Given Kudos: 783
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Products:
My Reviews
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V28
Posts: 1,179
Kudos: 813
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 08 Jun 2024, 00:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thabk you KarishmaB maam for coming to my rescue
KarishmaB
jack5397
­

Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-import inspectors in a certain country test five samples from the batch. The graph shows the probabilities that a batch will be accepted based on the average (arithmetic mean) percentage of impure grains found in the samples. The four curves represent how the probabilities of acceptance vary given four different standards for the maximum acceptable number of samples that test positive (are found to contain one or more impure grains). If all five samples test positive, the batch will not be accepted.

Select from the drop-down menus the options that create the statement that most accurately reflects the information provided in the graph.

For a batch for which the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is percent, the probability that the inspectors will accept the batch is approximately 0.35 less if the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is than if it is 4.


Show Spoiler
This is from Official Mock 5
 ­
­At first look, the graphs are un-intuitive. One would expect that if fewer samples have impurities, a higher percentage of impurity would be allowed while accepting it. But it is not so.

The following is understandable:
With all samples having 0% impurities, probability of acceptance is 1. Will be accepted.
With 5 samples positive, probability of acceptance is 0. Will not be accepted.

Now comes the trickier part: With at most 1 sample with impurities, the acceptance rate falls dramatically as the percentage of impurities increase. While with at most 4 samples with impurities, the acceptance rate falls slowly as the percentage of impurities increase. 
We are given: The four curves represent how the probabilities of acceptance vary given four different standards for the maximum acceptable number of samples that test positive...
Hence, the graphs represent different standards. So let's not worry about this.

Let's skip to the question stem. Usually they help us figure out the answer easily.

For a batch for which the average percentage of impure grains in the samples is ____ (1/2/3/4) percent, the probability that the inspectors will accept the batch is approximately 0.35 less if the maximum acceptable number of positive samples is (1/2/3/4) than if it is 4.

Simple enough. Probability is given on the Y axis. So we need that probability should be .35 less for the graph which has maximum acceptable number of positive samples as 1, 2 or 3 compared to the graph which has maximum acceptable number of positive samples as 4 (solid black line).
So we need to find that the difference between the solid black line and any other line. The .35 difference on the Y axis happens between the solid black line and the thick dotted black line (at most 3 positives). This happens at the 2 percentage point on X axis. 

ANSWER:
2 percent
maximum acceptable number of positive samples 3
 
Show more

Posted from my mobile device
Show Spoiler
Attachment:
GMAT-Club-Forum-yevagqt0.png
GMAT-Club-Forum-yevagqt0.png [ 134.71 KiB | Viewed 3799 times ]
User avatar
kanikaa9
User avatar
Joined: 19 Aug 2023
Last visit: 02 Jul 2025
Posts: 97
Own Kudos:
51
Given Kudos: 708
Location: India
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Posts: 97
Kudos: 51
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 30 Dec 2024, 10:54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
This is a very unique and interesting question I have seen. Something that needs you to really think and then solve. You won't be able to solve it in 2 mins definitely if you haven't done anything like this ever before or if you did, then you're a genius. Anyway, I figured it out but I did this one untimed as I knew I have to spend time on it. Took me ~5 mins.
User avatar
devdattakhoche
User avatar
Joined: 16 Feb 2025
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 19
Own Kudos:
7
Given Kudos: 27
GRE 1: Q164 V151
Products:
GMAT Club Tests
GRE 1: Q164 V151
Posts: 19
Kudos: 7
Before deciding whether to accept a batch of grain, agricultural-impor 16 Nov 2025, 00:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
As soon as read the question , I knew it was going to take time to solve and to get it right, I already have given more than 1 min to understand it..

so I just skipped this question in the exam, just for those wondering how to manage time, I learnt it the hard way that leaving hard questions and getting them wrong is not going hamper your score instead getting easy questions will , if at all you get them and mess up due to time pressure.
Moderators:
Bunuel
Math Expert
105379 posts
kingbucky
496 posts