I08-14

Question

The table below provides data for selected states at the end of 2003, detailing estimated population and the number of postal facilities categorized into post offices, classified stations and branches, and contract stations and branches.
      State   Population   Post Offices   Classified Stations & Branches   Contract Stations & Branches       Alaska   626,932   184   34   79       Alabama   4,447,100   558   83   34       Arkansas   2,673,400   582   57   35       Arizona   5,130,632   198   97   147       California   33,871,648   1,056   721   351       Colorado   4,301,261   381   88   64       Connecticut   3,405,565   233   91   26       Delaware   783,600   53   17   4       Florida   15,982,378   457   377   271       Georgia   8,186,453   606   153   72       Hawaii   1,211,537   72   32   21       Iowa   2,926,324   892   34   112       Idaho   1,293,593   226   19   37       Illinois   12,419,293   1,225   190   96       Indiana   6,080,485   716   77   64

For each of the following statements, select  True  if the information in the table accurately supports the statement. Otherwise, select  Not true .

Bunuel · Answer

Official Solution:

Statement 1: 
 
The state with the highest population is California, which has 1,056 + 721 + 351 ≈ 2,100 postal facilities. The only state that comes close is Illinois, with 1,225 + 190 + 96 ≈ 1,500 postal facilities, which is still fewer than California. Therefore, this statement is True.
 
 Statement 2: 
 
Sorting by Post Offices, we can see that the state with the fewest total postal facilities is Delaware, with 53 + 17 + 4 = 74 postal facilities (it has the smallest number of facilities in each category). The population of Delaware is 783,600, giving an average of 783,600/74 ≈ 11,000 people per postal facility.
 
We need to check whether this is the lowest number among all other states. Sort by population and check the ratio of population to postal facilities. Already, the first one, Alaska, the least populous state, has approximately 626,932/(184 + 34 + 79) ≈ 626,932/300 ≈ 2,000 people per postal facility, which is lower than Delaware’s ratio. Therefore, this statement is False.
 
 Statement 3: 
 
For this statement, we need to check whether  all  states with a less than 1:1 ratio of post offices to other postal facilities—meaning states with fewer post offices than other postal facilities—had a population of more than 15 million people. To verify, we sort the states by population and examine those with less than 15 million people to determine if they had fewer post offices than other postal facilities.
 
We can see that Arizona, with a population of about 5 million, has approximately 200 post offices and a total of 250 other postal facilities. Therefore, there is at least one state, Arizona, with a less than 1:1 ratio of post offices to other postal facilities combined that does not have a population of more than 15 million people. Therefore, this statement is False.

Correct answer:

The state with the highest population also had the greatest total number of postal facilities.  "True"

The state with the fewest total postal facilities also had the lowest average number of people per postal facility.  "Not true"

Each state with a less than 1:1 ratio of post offices to other postal facilities combined had a population of more than 15 million people.  "Not true"

Bunuel · Answer

I have revised the question, solution, and formatting by adding more details to enhance clarity.

JuniqueLid · Answer

I did not quite understand the question. The question is itself not difficult but the amount of calculations required to derive the answers feel excessive. Query if this is typically expectable in real GMAT? Thank you.

Bunuel · Answer

With the right approach and estimations, you won’t need to calculate much. Also, remember that you have access to the calculator in the DI section.

For the first statement, you only need to  estimate  the total postal facilities in California, then quickly skim the other states to compare their total, making it manageable without detailed calculations.

For the second statement, you don’t need to check every state—just compare Delaware (the state with the fewest postal facilities) against a few of the least populous states. A quick check shows that Alaska, the least populous state, has a lower people-per-postal-facility ratio, making the statement false without full calculations.

For the third statement, instead of checking every state, you can quickly scan for states with fewer post offices than other postal facilities. Arizona, with a population of about 5 million, already meets this condition, proving the statement false without needing to go through all states.

Vineet1102 · Answer

I did not quite understand the solution. Each state with a less than 1:1 ratio of post offices to other postal facilities combined had a population of more than 15 million people. Doesn't the word combined here means that all the 3 states(Arizona, Florida and Cali) have a pop of 15 million combined ie adding all the 3 states and then deciding if its more than 15 mil?

Bunuel · Answer

No, that's not what the statement means. The word  combined  refers to the two types of  non–post office  facilities: classified stations & branches and contract stations & branches. So the ratio being described is:

Post Offices : (Classified + Contract stations and branches)

It does  not  mean combining the populations of multiple states. The population condition applies to  each individual state .

srik410 · Answer

Very high quality question especially on stem 3.

I give you on more stem even more challenging for 3.

Statement:  “Only states with fewer post offices than their other postal facilities combined had populations over 15 million.” -> True or False?

This one in-fact turns out to be True.

Bunuel · Answer

Glad you like the question. Thank you!

BinodBhai · Answer

This is a great question that’s helpful for learning. But here the difficulty mentioned is medium, on the GMAT Club it is 805 level and I also feel its slightly on the harder side. Definitely not medium.

Bunuel · Answer

The difficulty level on GMAT Club is determined automatically once there are enough attempts via the timer, it’s based on several parameters from user activity, such as the percentage of correct answers and the average time taken. Since GMAT Club Tests forum, and Graphs & Tables forum each have a different pool of user responses, the calculated difficulty can sometimes differ across them. That said, I agree this question feels harder than the current rating shown here.

agrasan · Answer

I like the solution - it’s helpful.

Karym · Answer

I like the solution - it’s helpful.

I08-14

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My Rewards

State	Population	Post Offices	Classified Stations & Branches	Contract Stations & Branches
Alaska	626,932	184	34	79
Alabama	4,447,100	558	83	34
Arkansas	2,673,400	582	57	35
Arizona	5,130,632	198	97	147
California	33,871,648	1,056	721	351
Colorado	4,301,261	381	88	64
Connecticut	3,405,565	233	91	26
Delaware	783,600	53	17	4
Florida	15,982,378	457	377	271
Georgia	8,186,453	606	153	72
Hawaii	1,211,537	72	32	21
Iowa	2,926,324	892	34	112
Idaho	1,293,593	226	19	37
Illinois	12,419,293	1,225	190	96
Indiana	6,080,485	716	77	64

True	Not true
		The state with the highest population also had the greatest total number of postal facilities.
		The state with the fewest total postal facilities also had the lowest average number of people per postal facility.
		Each state with a less than 1:1 ratio of post offices to other postal facilities combined had a population of more than 15 million people.