From 1985 to 1994, what was the percent increase in total United States trade?

[Gmat_mission]

From 1985 to 1994, what was the percent increase in total United States trade?

(1) Total United States trade in 1985 was 17 percent of the gross domestic product in 1985.
(2) Total United States trade in 1994 was 23 percent of the gross domestic product in 1994.

Answer: E

Source: GMAT Paper Tests

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

From 1985 to 1994, what was the percent increase in total United States trade?

(1) Total United States trade in 1985 was 17 percent of the gross domestic product in 1985.
(2) Total United States trade in 1994 was 23 percent of the gross domestic product in 1994.

Answer: E

Source: GMAT Paper Tests

Target question: From 1985 to 1994, what was the percent increase in total United States trade?

Since we don't know the gross domestic product in 1985 and 1994, there's no way to answer the target question with certainty.
Consider these two possible cases:

Case a: In 1985 the gross domestic product was $100, and in 1994 the gross domestic product was $100 also.
So, US trade in 1985 was $17, and US trade in 1994 was $23
This represents about an approximate 35% increase from 1985 to 1994.

Case b: In 1985 the gross domestic product was $100,000 and in 1994 the gross domestic product was $100 also.
So, US trade in 1985 was $17,000, and US trade in 1994 was $23
This represents an approximate 99.8% decrease from 1985 to 1994.

Answer: E