In 1987 sinusitis was the most common chronic medical condition in the United States, followed by arthritis and high blood pressure, in that order.
The incidence rates for both arthritis and high blood pressure increase with age, but the incidence rate for sinusitis is the same for people of all ages.
The average age of the United States population will increase between 1987 and 2000
Which of the following conclusions can be most properly drawn about chronic medical conditions in the United States from the information given above?
(A) Sinusitis will be more common than either arthritis or high blood pressure in 2000.
(B) Arthritis will be the most common chronic medical condition in 2000.
(C) The average age of people suffering from sinusitis will increase between 1987 and 2000
(D) Fewer people will suffer from sinusitis in 2000 than suffered from it in 1987.
(E) A majority of the population will suffer from at least one of the medical conditions mentioned above by the year 2000.
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
Sinusitis incidence rates
This topic has expert replies
-
LulaBrazilia
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:50 am
- Followed by:1 members
-
Patrick_GMATFix
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1052
- Joined: Fri May 21, 2010 1:30 am
- Thanked: 335 times
- Followed by:98 members
The answer is C. I go through the question in detail in the full solution below (taken from the GMATFix App).
-Patrick
-Patrick
- Check out my site: GMATFix.com
- To prep my students I use this tool >> (screenshots, video)
- Ask me about tutoring.
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
[email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi LulaBrazilia,
This prompt is an example of an Inference question. We need to understand the facts that are given, then pick an answer that logically matches those facts.
It's worth noting that an inference can be based on one word, a sentence or a combination of sentences, so we'll need to do a bit more work than normal to answer this question correctly.
The Facts:
-In 1987, the most common chronic medical conditions in the US were sinusitis, arthritis and high blood pressure (in that order).
-Arthritis and high blood pressure increase with age, but the incidence rate for sinusitis is the SAME for all ages.
-The AVERAGE AGE of the US population will INCREASE between 1987 and 2000
The Logic:
-Since the AVERAGE AGE of the US will INCREASE between 1987 and 2000, then the medical ailments listed will clearly be affected. Since people are living longer, the "numbers" behind each of these chronic medical conditions will be affected. Since arthritis and high blood pressure increase with age, it's likely that we'll see more people with those conditions (since people are living longer). Since sinusitis is consistent for all ages, we won't necessarily see an increase in sinusitis, but since people are living longer, that number will still be affected.
The correct answer C combines the Facts in the second and third sentences. Since people are living longer, and sinusitis occurs with the same frequency for all ages, the average age for sinusitis will most certainly increase.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
This prompt is an example of an Inference question. We need to understand the facts that are given, then pick an answer that logically matches those facts.
It's worth noting that an inference can be based on one word, a sentence or a combination of sentences, so we'll need to do a bit more work than normal to answer this question correctly.
The Facts:
-In 1987, the most common chronic medical conditions in the US were sinusitis, arthritis and high blood pressure (in that order).
-Arthritis and high blood pressure increase with age, but the incidence rate for sinusitis is the SAME for all ages.
-The AVERAGE AGE of the US population will INCREASE between 1987 and 2000
The Logic:
-Since the AVERAGE AGE of the US will INCREASE between 1987 and 2000, then the medical ailments listed will clearly be affected. Since people are living longer, the "numbers" behind each of these chronic medical conditions will be affected. Since arthritis and high blood pressure increase with age, it's likely that we'll see more people with those conditions (since people are living longer). Since sinusitis is consistent for all ages, we won't necessarily see an increase in sinusitis, but since people are living longer, that number will still be affected.
The correct answer C combines the Facts in the second and third sentences. Since people are living longer, and sinusitis occurs with the same frequency for all ages, the average age for sinusitis will most certainly increase.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
