In January of last year, Fastfood King started using a new lowfat oil to cook its Fast Fries, instead of the less healthful corn oil that it had been using. Now Fastfood King is planning to switch back, saying that the change has hurt sales of Fast Fries. However, this claim is incorrect, since according to Fastfood King’s own sales figures, Fastfood King sold 10 percent more Fast Fries last year than in the previous year.
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument against Fastfood King's claim?
A. Total sales of all foods at Fastfood King’s locations increased by less than 10 percent last year.
B. Fastfood King enjoys higher profit margins on its Soft Drinks than it does on Fast Fries.
C. Fastfood King’s customers prefer the taste of Fast Fries cooked in corn oil to Fast Fries cooked in lowfat oil.
D. The number of customers that visited Fastfood King locations was more than 20 percent higher last year than the year before.
E. The year before last, Fastfood King experienced a 20 percent increase in Fast Fries sales over the previous year.
-------------------
The answer is A, and this is the explanation:
A. CORRECT. This statement indicates that Fastfood King’s total food sales increased by less than 10 percent. As the sales of Fast Fries increased at a higher rate of 10 percent, this strongly suggests that the change to lowfat oil did not adversely impact the sales of Fast Fries.
My reasoning at first is that since it is a fact based on factual sales figures that sales of fries actually increased by 10%, but Fastfood King thought the oil would decrease sales figures, then the answer would be a reason why Fastfood King under-estimated sales. It just seems like the answer A is redundant and doesn't really add anything.
I thought long and hard over every question and ultimately chose D, mostly because of process of elimination and then finally guessing. I figured the 20% higher increase in customers might have distorted Fastfood King's conclusion regarding the sales figures of the fries.
Reading answer A, I can see how it is the answer. But I still can't think of a right mindset to go into this problem that would sufficiently lead me to answer A each time. Any recommendations on the line of thinking to answer this type of question?
Much appreciated in advance!
Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument against Fastfood King's claim?
A. Total sales of all foods at Fastfood King’s locations increased by less than 10 percent last year.
B. Fastfood King enjoys higher profit margins on its Soft Drinks than it does on Fast Fries.
C. Fastfood King’s customers prefer the taste of Fast Fries cooked in corn oil to Fast Fries cooked in lowfat oil.
D. The number of customers that visited Fastfood King locations was more than 20 percent higher last year than the year before.
E. The year before last, Fastfood King experienced a 20 percent increase in Fast Fries sales over the previous year.
-------------------
The answer is A, and this is the explanation:
A. CORRECT. This statement indicates that Fastfood King’s total food sales increased by less than 10 percent. As the sales of Fast Fries increased at a higher rate of 10 percent, this strongly suggests that the change to lowfat oil did not adversely impact the sales of Fast Fries.
My reasoning at first is that since it is a fact based on factual sales figures that sales of fries actually increased by 10%, but Fastfood King thought the oil would decrease sales figures, then the answer would be a reason why Fastfood King under-estimated sales. It just seems like the answer A is redundant and doesn't really add anything.
I thought long and hard over every question and ultimately chose D, mostly because of process of elimination and then finally guessing. I figured the 20% higher increase in customers might have distorted Fastfood King's conclusion regarding the sales figures of the fries.
Reading answer A, I can see how it is the answer. But I still can't think of a right mindset to go into this problem that would sufficiently lead me to answer A each time. Any recommendations on the line of thinking to answer this type of question?
Much appreciated in advance!
