The horizontal bars in the above diagram represent 2020 aggregate sales (in Rs. million) of a company for the different subcategories of its products. The top four product subcategories (Bookcases, Chairs, Furnishings, Tables) belong to furniture product category; the bottom four product subcategories (Accessories, Copiers, Machines, Phones) belong to the technology product category while all other product subcategories belong to the office supply product category. For each of the product subcategories, there is a vertical line indicating the sales of the corresponding subcategory in 2019.
1 The total sales (in Rs. million) in 2019 from products in office supplies category is closest to
1) 13.5 2) 12.5 3) 18.0 4) 16.5
2 The percentage increase in sales in Furniture category from 2019 to 2020 is closest to
1) 1% 2) 25% 3) 20% 4) 8%
3 How many subcategories had sales of Rs. 4 million or more in 2019 and registered an increase in sales in excess of 25% in 2020?
4 The improvement index for a category is the maximum percentage increase in sales from 2019 to 2020 among any of its subcategories.
The correct order of categories in increasing order of this improvement index is
1) furniture, technology, office supply
2) office supply, furniture, technology
3) technology, furniture, office supply
4) office supply, technology, furniture
✅ Q1. The total sales (in Rs. million) in 2019 from products in office supplies category is closest to:
From the Office Supply category in the table (highlighted in yellow):
| Subcategory | 2019 Sales (Rs. Million) |
|---|---|
| Binders | 3.65 |
| Art | 0.45 |
| Appliances | 1.9 |
| Envelopes | 0.4 |
| Fasteners | 0.05 |
| Labels | 0.1 |
| Paper | 1.5 |
| Storage | 4.3 |
| Supplies | 1.15 |
| Total = 13.5 ✅ |
✅ Answer: (1) 13.5
✅ Q2. The percentage increase in sales in Furniture category from 2019 to 2020 is closest to:
From table (Furniture subcategories):
| Subcategory | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Bookcases | 1.9 | 2.2 |
| Chairs | 6.15 | 7 |
| Furnishings | 2.0 | 2.05 |
| Tables | 4.35 | 4.5 |
Total 2019 = 1.9 + 6.15 + 2.0 + 4.35 = 14.4
Total 2020 = 2.2 + 7.0 + 2.05 + 4.5 = 15.75
% Increase = 15.75−14.414.4×100=1.3514.4×100≈9.375%\frac{15.75 – 14.4}{14.4} \times 100 = \frac{1.35}{14.4} \times 100 ≈ 9.375\%
Closest option: 8%
✅ Answer: (4) 8%
✅ Q3. How many subcategories had sales of Rs. 4 million or more in 2019 and registered an increase in sales in excess of 25% in 2020?
We check only subcategories where:
- 2019 sales ≥ 4 million
- 2020 growth > 25%
From table:
| Subcategory | 2019 | 2020 | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairs | 6.15 | 7.0 | (0.85/6.15) ≈ 13.8% ❌ |
| Tables | 4.35 | 4.5 | (0.15/4.35) ≈ 3.4% ❌ |
| Binders | 3.65 | 5.3 | (1.65/3.65) ≈ 45.2% ✅ |
| Storage | 4.3 | 5.1 | (0.8/4.3) ≈ 18.6% ❌ |
| Accessories | 3.05 | 4.4 | (1.35/3.05) ≈ 44.3% ✅ |
| Copiers | 3.65 | 4.6 | (0.95/3.65) ≈ 26% ✅ |
| Phones | 5.8 | 7.7 | (1.9/5.8) ≈ 32.7% ✅ |
Check if 2019 ≥ 4:
- Binders: 3.65 ❌
- Accessories: 3.05 ❌
- Copiers: 3.65 ❌
- Phones: 5.8 ✅
→ Only Phones qualifies.
✅ Answer: (1)
✅ Q4. Improvement index = max % increase among subcategories of a category
Furniture:
- Chairs: (0.85/6.15) ≈ 13.8%
- Bookcases: (0.3/1.9) ≈ 15.8%
- Furnishings: (0.05/2.0) = 2.5%
- Tables: (0.15/4.35) ≈ 3.4%
→ Max = 15.8%
Office Supply:
- Binders: 45.2%
- Art: (0.15/0.45) = 33.3%
- Labels: (0.1/0.2) = 50%
→ Max = 50%
Technology:
- Accessories: (1.35/3.05) ≈ 44.3%
- Copiers: (0.95/3.65) ≈ 26%
- Phones: 32.7%
→ Max = 44.3%
Now sort improvement index in increasing order:
- Furniture: 15.8%
- Technology: 44.3%
- Office Supply: 50%
✅ Answer: (1) furniture, technology, office supply
✅ Final Answer Summary:
| Q# | Answer | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (1) 13.5 | Summed office supply 2019 |
| 2 | (4) 8% | Calculated % increase |
| 3 | (1) 1 | Only Phones met criteria |
| 4 | (1) furniture, technology, office supply | Sorted max % gains |
