BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Trash increase conclusion

Expert replies
by sparkles3144 » Sun Apr 13, 2014 8:55 pm
Recent studies show that people between the ages of 13 and 55 produce 65 pounds more garbage per year than they did in 1995. This increase has led to a higher percentage of the total garbage produced by all the age groups. This age group constitutes a growing percentage of the population, so it partially explains this rise.

Which of the following can be concluded from passage?

A. People over the age of 55 produce more garbage than people less than the age of 13.
B. Population has risen since 1995.
C. People between the age of 13 and 55 are more than half of current population.
D. Before 1995, people below age 13 and above age 55 produced higher percentage of total garbage than they do now.
E. People between the age of 13 and 55 produce more garbage than those below 13 or older than 55.

Answer is D

I thought it is not relevant because it is talking about difference time period before 1995

Please help me out.

Thanks!
Join the discussion
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by Nashath » Mon Apr 14, 2014 4:00 am
can anyone please explain how the answer could be option D?
Join the discussion

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:37 am
sparkles3144 wrote:Recent studies show that people between the ages of 13 and 55 produce 65 pounds more garbage per year than they did in 1995. This increase has led to a higher percentage of the total garbage produced by all the age groups. This age group constitutes a growing percentage of the population, so it partially explains this rise.

Which of the following can be concluded from passage?

A. People over the age of 55 produce more garbage than people less than the age of 13.
B. Population has risen since 1995.
C. People between the age of 13 and 55 are more than half of current population.
D. Before 1995, people below age 13 and above age 55 produced higher percentage of total garbage than they do now.
E. People between the age of 13 and 55 produce more garbage than those below 13 or older than 55.
Confusing wording.
What is meant by "This increase has led to a higher percentage of the total garbage produced by all the age groups."

If we're talking about the proportion of total garbage produced by all age groups, we can't have a higher percentage. The percentage of TOTAL garbage produced by ALL age groups (i.e., the entire population) will always be 100%.

For example, in 1995 the entire population produced all (100%) of the garbage. In 1996 the entire population produced all (100%) of the garbage. In 1997 the entire population produced all (100%) of the garbage. So, how can there be a higher percentage of the total garbage produced by all the age groups."?

What's the source of this question?

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by sparkles3144 » Wed Apr 16, 2014 7:36 am
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:
What's the source of this question?

Cheers,
Brent
Hello Brent,

Source is Manhattan.
Also, I saw this question on this website:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/recent-studie ... 37259.html
I didn't really understand the explanations here.
Do you think you can explain it?

Thanks!
Join the discussion