what happened to the option E?

In the question stem,

Over the last 25 years, the average price paid for a new car has steadily increased in relation to average individual income. This increase indicates that individuals who buy new cars today spend, on average, a larger amount relative to their incomes buying a car than their counterparts did 25 years ago.


Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?
we need something that argues with the highlighted reason.

(A) There has been a significant increase over the last 25 years in the proportion of individuals in households with more than one wage earner.
......the topic is about individuals not households ...so eliminate

(B) The number of used cars sold annually is the same as it was 25 years ago.
......... used cars don't really say anything about new cars and thier price

(C) Allowing for inflation, average individual income has significantly declined over the last 25 years.
......this supports or reasons out the argument (i.e more is payed for new cars by individuals

(D) During the last 25 years, annual new-car sales and population have both increased, but new-car sales have increased by a greater percentage.
....... this says new cars sales increased greater percentage ....compared to the population increase , that implies few buy more than one car there by increasing the car/individual average


ans D

none of the options are weakening...

post the missing option E...

Can somone explain each option in detail....Will be posting the OA after some more discussion.....

$ new car / income ratio has increased and argument claims that this is due to the increased spending on new car. But since this is a ratio it is also possible that the money they spent on the car remains the same but their income declines.


(A) There has been a significant increase over the last 25 years in the proportion of individuals in households with more than one wage earner.

Irrelevant.

(B) The number of used cars sold annually is the same as it was 25 years ago.


Irrelevant.

(C) Allowing for inflation, average individual income has significantly declined over the last 25 years.

I first thought that this could be the answer but we don't know what happened to the car prices or the $/# ratio.

(D) During the last 25 years, annual new-car sales and population have both increased, but new-car sales have increased by a greater percentage.

This actually strengthens the argument.

(E) Sales to individuals make up a smaller proportion of all new-car sales they did 25 years ago.

If cars are bought by different parties, such as companies, corporations, the buyer profile might have changed now. So this is the correct answer.

IMO E

Ratio = Price of a new car/Income. This can increase if price of car increases or Income decreases provided the other is constant.

(A) There has been a significant increase over the last 25 years in the proportion of individuals in households with more than one wage earner.
IRRELEVANT as we are comparing individual income.


(B) The number of used cars sold annually is the same as it was 25 years ago.
Number of car does not affect price of car IRRELEVANT.

(C) Allowing for inflation, average individual income has significantly declined over the last 25 years.
Inflation has declined Income but wouldn't it decline price of a car as well.??! Inflation refers to the price.

(D) During the last 25 years, annual new-car sales and population have both increased, but new-car sales have increased by a greater percentage.
IRRELEVANT new car sales neither affect sales or income.

(E) Sales to individuals make up a smaller proportion of all new-car sales they did 25 years ago.

What is the OA

E for me. what's OA?