The graph shows the number of passenger cars sold in Nation X for each

Question

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The graph shows the number of passenger cars sold in Nation X for each of the years 1965 through 2010, as well as with a trendline for this data.

From each drop-down menu, select the option that creates the most accurate statement based on the information provided.

For the year in which the greatest number of passenger cars was sold, that number was approximately  GRAPH_1_PLACEHOLDER  greater than that indicated by the trend line.

If the number of passenger cars sold follows the pattern of the trendline, approximately  GRAPH_2_PLACEHOLDER  passenger cars will be sold in 2055.

ID: 101120

Oppenheimer1945 · Accepted Answer

for 2nd part, we can see that the fall of trendline (y-axis) is 700,000 in 45 years (1965- 2010)
Hence for 2055 (2010+45 yrs), the Y-value will be 1900-700=120,000

Mazbaul95 · Answer

The second part can be solved easily:
Car sold in 1965: 2,600,000
Car sold in 2010: 1,900,000
So, in 45 years, the number of cars sold decreased by 700,000.
In the next 45 years, that means in 2055, the number of cars sold will decrease by 700,000.
So, 1,900,000-700,000=1,2000,000

akshitab2912 · Answer

The second question is purely application of slope concept of coordinate geometry. Slope of the line is constant and given by slope =(y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1); you can use this formula to find out slope from the graph. The slope will be -700/45. You can further equate this slope to find out the value of Y - co-ordinate when X = 2055. The value will be 1200,000.

Abbas007 · Answer

OFFICIAL SOLUION

RO1:

On the graph, for each year shown, the height of that year’s blue dot stands for the number of passenger cars sold that year in Nation X in thousands, as shown by the vertical scale. The year the most passenger cars were sold was the year with the highest blue dot, 1985. For that year, the blue dot is at a height indicating that about 2,900,000 cars were sold, and the trendline below it is at a height indicating that about 2,300,000 cars were sold. Thus, the number of cars sold that year was about 600,000 greater than the number indicated by the trendline.

The correct answer is 600,000.

RO2:

On the graph, the trendline slopes down from a height indicating that about 2,600,000 cars were sold in 1965 to a height indicating that about 1,900,000 cars were sold in 2010. Thus, the trend line shows a decline of about 2,600,000 − 1,900,000 = 700,000 cars sold annually over the 45 years from 1965 to 2010. Over the next 45 years from 2010 to 2055, if the trend line keeps the same slope, it will show another decline of about 700,000 cars sold annually, from about 1,900,000 in 2010 to about 1,200,000 in 2055. Thus, if the actual numbers of cars sold annually were to start closely following the trend line, about 1,200,000 cars would be sold in Nation X in 2055.

The correct answer is 1,200,000.

suburbMBA · Answer

If we look at the entire 45 years, we see a reduction of 700k. However, despite the slope being constant, if we reduce the frame of reference to 1990-2010, it appears to be an approx. decline of 200k/10 years. Depending of which one we choose, the final answer would vary.

Is there any rule when it comes to these questions on the acceptable frame of reference to determine future trends?

Is there any rule when it comes to these questions on the acceptable frame of reference to determine future trends?

Bunuel · Answer

Do not overcomplicate it. Since 1965 to 2010 is 45 years, and 2010 to 2055 is also 45 years, just use the full 45-year change shown by the trendline and extend it once more.

bhanu29 · Answer

For the year in which the greatest number of passenger cars was sold, that number was approximately ____ greater than that indicated by the trend line.
2900 - 2300 = 600

600,000

If the number of passenger cars sold follows the pattern of the trendline, approximately ____ passenger cars will be sold in 2055.

Observe that in 45 years (65-10) we have got a decrease of 700 so similarly for next year there would be 700 drop

1900 - 700 = 1200

Correct Answer 600,000 and 1,200,000

egmat · Answer

Great question — and this is a  trap  that many students fall into on GI trendline questions.

The  critical thing to understand  is: you do NOT need to determine the trend yourself. The question tells you that a  trendline  is already drawn on the graph. This is a specific line that has already been fitted to the data for you. Your job is simply to read that line and extend it.

So the rule is straightforward: when the question says "follows the pattern of the trendline," it means use THE  trendline  shown on the graph — not your own interpretation of recent data or any subset of years.

Here is the method for D2:

Step 1:  Pick two clear points where the  trendline  crosses convenient grid lines. For example, read the trendline value at  1965  and at  2010 .

Step 2:  Calculate the slope: (change in cars sold) / (change in years).

Step 3:  Extend that same slope forward to  2055 .

Since  2055  is  45  years after  2010 , you multiply the slope (per year) by  45  and add it to the trendline's value at  2010 .  Using the trendline on this graph, that calculation yields approximately   1,200,000 .

The reason your two approaches gave different answers is that individual data points scatter above and below the  trendline . The  1990 - 2010  actual data points may show a steeper decline than the overall trendline, but that's just short-term variation. The  trendline  smooths all of that out across the full  45 -year period.

Bottom line:  On the GMAT, if a trendline is drawn on the graph, always use that line directly. Never substitute your own trend based on a subset of the data. The trendline IS the answer key for projection questions.

Answer: 600,000 and 1,200,000

The graph shows the number of passenger cars sold in Nation X for each

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The graph shows the number of passenger cars sold in Nation X for each

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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My Rewards