The proportion of doctors—people with medical degrees

Question

The proportion of doctors—people with medical degrees—who are women has increased greatly over the past several decades. As evidence, consider the fact that the number of women graduating from medical school annually doubled from 1950 to 2000.

In order to determine the validity of the claim made above, it would be most relevant to compare 1950 and 2000 in which of the following respects?

(A) The number of women who were accepted to medical school but chose not to enroll
(B) The number of men who applied to medical school
(C) The number of female medical school graduates who became researchers rather than practicing physicians
(D) The number of men graduating from medical school annually
(E) The number of men graduating from college annually

yashikaaggarwal · Answer

We have to validate that the number of women graduating from medical school annually doubled from 1950 to 2000. 
For this we have to prove that, the other students graduating with that of female candidates are same, only then it will show that the number of female students have significantly increased.

(A) The number of women who were accepted to medical school but chose not to enroll (We can't validate that number of female students have increased from this information) (Incorrect)

(B) The number of men who applied to medical school (we need the graduating students data not those who applied) (Incorrect)

(C) The number of female medical school graduates who became researchers rather than practicing physicians (We can't infer that the female students number have increased from this) (Irrelevant)

(D) The number of men graduating from medical school annually (Yes, the number of other students who graduated from medical school will give significant report whether the female candidates have increased or not)

(E) The number of men graduating from college annually (We are talking about Medical Schools not College)

Answer is D.

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srikalivarapu · Answer

Choice d could be used to compare trends between women and men.

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SairamRamo · Answer

Option which talks about men who have graduated from medical school over the same period would be the answer choice

IMO D

RahulHGGmat · Answer

Greetings of the day expert!!!

I would request you to please help me in ascertaining what is the claim made by the author in the argument as I am unable to find his claim. Is there any specific rule through which I can find his claim, as I am normally able to find this.

Additionally, I am also not able to understand how the number of men is affecting this argument as it clearly states that the number of women graduating from medical school annually doubled from 1950 to 2000.

svasan05 · Answer

Hi Rahul

The claim being made by the author is: The proportion of doctors—people with medical degrees—who are women has increased greatly over the past several decades.

Normally, that part of the argument which  derives from  or is  based on  other parts is the conclusion. In this, the statement made above is based on the subsequent statement ie; the number of women graduating from medical school annually doubled from 1950 to 2000. Therefore it is the claim that we are considering.

The number of men is important because the claim being made is about the  proportion  of women whereas the claim is about the  proportion  of women. Since the proportion of women will be approximately defined as (number of women)/(number of women + number of men), information about number of men helps us in assessing the claim.

Hope this helps.

sony1000 · Answer

Assume that in 1950, 50 women graduated and 50 men graduated, that gives us 50% each

now in 2000, 100 women graduate (double of 1950) and 900 men graduate, that gives us 10% women and 90% men

But if , in 1950 stats remain 50 women graduated and 50 men graduated, that gives us 50% each

yet in 2000, 100 women graduate and only 72 men graduate , that would gives uns 60% women and 40% men,

thus different number of men graduating would give us different proportion of women graduating.

ManifestDreamMBA · Answer

Argument says W/(W+M) has increased because W has become double. But what if M became 4 times? Then the claim won't be true.
to evaluate we need to know how M changed or what that number looks like.

D captures exactly what we are looking for.

The proportion of doctors—people with medical degrees

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The proportion of doctors—people with medical degrees

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