Critical Reasoning

Companies in a certain metropolitan city are required to pay a tax of 3% on all corporate profits. Between last year and this year, the amount of this tax paid by retail merchant Company X doubled, even though its total sales fell dramatically.

If the information above is accurate, which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn?

(a) Company X has significantly raised the prices it charges for goods.
(b) The profit margins at Company X have increased this year.
(c) Not relevant option.
(d) Not relevant option.
(e) Not relevant option.

Now the question is why answer (a) is not correct and why (b) is correct. I am not able to digest the answer:)

Experts please provide your opinion.

newgmattest wrote:Companies in a certain metropolitan city are required to pay a tax of 3% on all corporate profits. Between last year and this year, the amount of this tax paid by retail merchant Company X doubled, even though its total sales fell dramatically.

If the information above is accurate, which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn?

(a) Company X has significantly raised the prices it charges for goods.
(b) The profit margins at Company Y have increased this year.
(c) Not relevant option.
(d) Not relevant option.
(e) Not relevant option.

Now the question is why answer (a) is not correct and why (b) is correct. I am not able to digest the answer:)

Experts please provide your opinion.

Hi, I'm not expert, but I still want to give out my approach
If sales (the amount of product) drop, the price must increase to have the profit increase.
Besides, with (b) Y has nothing to do with the argument, it's irrelavent
Thanks

Sorry typo. Corrected now....

newgmattest wrote:Companies in a certain metropolitan city are required to pay a tax of 3% on all corporate profits. Between last year and this year, the amount of this tax paid by retail merchant Company X doubled, even though its total sales fell dramatically.

If the information above is accurate, which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn?

(a) Company X has significantly raised the prices it charges for goods.
(b) The profit margins at Company X have increased this year.
(c) Not relevant option.
(d) Not relevant option.
(e) Not relevant option.

Now the question is why answer (a) is not correct and why (b) is correct. I am not able to digest the answer:)

Experts please provide your opinion.

Hmmm, then (b)is better, because it focuses on the profit which is the key here.
In (a), the price increases, and we can think of many factor affecting the profit margin such as cost. Besides, the span of time here in not clear enough.
So (b) is the best option
Hope this helps
Thanks

Thats tricky ....even i went with A as timer was clocked over 2 minutes

But then i


thought over it....
more tax is paid that means earnings/profits are more ( which is directly stated in B ). Now problem with A is that we tend to relate the increases prices to increase profits but earnings may increase/remain same/decrease as prices may be increases because of increase of prices raw material. Hence A is wrong....Nice Question though

IMO B

newgmattest wrote:Companies in a certain metropolitan city are required to pay a tax of 3% on all corporate profits. Between last year and this year, the amount of this tax paid by retail merchant Company X doubled, even though its total sales fell dramatically.

If the information above is accurate, which of the following conclusions can be properly drawn?

(a) Company X has significantly raised the prices it charges for goods.
(b) The profit margins at Company X have increased this year.

Now the question is why answer (a) is not correct and why (b) is correct. I am not able to digest the answer:)

Experts please provide your opinion.

Tax is to be paid on profits. We know that tax paid increased and thus it means profit also increased.
a) prices have increased. But maybe then costs also increased in which case profits won't increase and thus rejected.