From 2005 to 2010, the population of Tarland grew by 6 percent. During

Question

From 2005 to 2010, the population of Tarland grew by 6 percent. During the same period, total spending on dairy products in Tarland increased by 4 percent, whereas spending on milk alone rose 12 percent.

If the statements above are true, which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn?

A) Tarland manufacturers realize a higher profit from milk than from other dairy products.
B) More people in Tarland started consuming milk between 2005 and 2010.
C) Per capita spending on dairy products in Tarland was lower in 2010 than in 2005.
D) Tarland dairy product producers had higher profits in 2010 than in 2005.
E) In Tarland, spending on yogurt decreased between 2005 and 2010.

rohit43 · Answer

Ans is C. Other options are irrelevant

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Krystallized · Answer

Can somebody please explain why option B is incorrect?

Hadrienlbb · Answer

Hi Krystallized,

Answer B talks about milk consumption, whereas the stem only talks about total spending on dairy products. As such there is no way to conclude that milk consumption has increased, decreased or stayed the same. We could only infer information about spending on milk, not consumption.

I would like to point out that this is a trick / trap the GMAT seems to be using a lot, i.e. drafting answer choices which sound good and logical, but which in fact don't refer to the proper type of data measured (typical with percent change and absolute number for population segments).

Hope this helps and Merry Christmas!

Hadrien

Krystallized · Answer

Thank you  Hadrienlbb  for your explanation. I think, i need to practice few more questions based on percent change and absolute numbers.

Thank you once again and Merry Christmas!

gantinator · Answer

Answer 
A - Irrelevant - No mention of profits - Wrong
B - Sounds Correct - Trap - As population increases, we might logically assume that more people will drink milk, but no data to support - Wrong
C -  Correct  - Population increased by 6% and spending on milk increased only by 4% - Thus per capita spending (Spending/Person) decreased. - Correct
D - Irrelevant - No mention of profits -wrong
E - Irrelevant - No mention of yogurt - wrong

Soumyajit_G · Answer

Option B is incorrect because we can't tell if the same people who drank milk in 2005 didn't increase their milk consumption, which led to an increase in milk spending by 12%.

ZIX · Answer

Option B is wrong because it bases its assumption on prices remaining constant. For all we know the spending could increase because of inflation too (ex. milk prices increased sharply during that period)

From 2005 to 2010, the population of Tarland grew by 6 percent. During

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From 2005 to 2010, the population of Tarland grew by 6 percent. During

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