Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

IR question - Beverage consumption

Expert replies
by gmattesttaker2 » Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:03 pm
Hello,

Can you please assist with this IR question?

For: The type of beverage milk that experienced the greatest magnitude percent change in consumption in Malactica from 1980 to 2005 was the correct answer is [spoiler]Low-fat milk (1%) and skim milk[/spoiler]. I selected Plain whole milk


This is the official explanation:


B - Low-fat milk (1%) and skim milk. You are looking for the greatest magnitude percent change, so a large percent decrease could be the winner. Let’s investigate each case by comparing visually the size of the column segment in 2005 with the corresponding segment in 1980, looking for large proportional changes either up or down.

a) Flavored milks: Very little proportional change in size from 1980 to 2005.

b) Low-fat milk (1%) and skim milk: Appears to almost double in size, which would represent nearly a 100% increase.

c) Plain reduced-fat milk (2%): Very slight growth, proportionally.

d) Plain whole milk: A big decrease in absolute terms, but percent-wise, only a little more than a 50% decline – certainly not close to 100% decline.

So the clear winner in percent terms is low-fat, with its nearly 100% increase. Closer inspection would reveal an approximately 80% increase, whereas plain whole fell only about 60%.


I was able to eliminate "Flavored milks" looking at the graph.

For "Low-fat milk (1%) and skim milk" in 1980, it seems to me that the gallons consumed were about 3 (26 - 23) while in 2005 the gallons consumed were about 5 (18 - 13). Hence there was about a 66% increase.

For Plain whole milk there was a drop from about 16 gallons in 1980 to about 7 gallons in 2005 (which is approx. a 44% decrease).


I was wondering if this is the correct way to approach this problem?

Thanks for your help.

Best Regards,
Sri
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by [email protected] » Sat Feb 01, 2014 3:16 pm
Hi Sri,

This IR question should also have probably been posted in the IR Forum, but I'll confirm your approach.

Percentage Change is an issue that Business Schools want to know that you can handle, so you'll certainly see it in the Quant section and possibly in IR (as you saw it here). Since the prompt asks for the greatest "magnitude percent change", we have to keep an open mind about whether the result is an increase or a decrease.

Your visual estimate matches mine; while I disagree with the estimates offered by the official explanation, I DO agree with the result. Low fat/Skim milk has a greater magnitude percent change than Whole milk. Your tactic to "visually eliminate" some of the options is also correct. Oftentimes, questions that come with a chart, graph or table will include a "pattern matcher's" shortcut that can allow you to avoid certain calculations if you can spot the shortcut.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Join the discussion