CAT 2018 Question Paper | CAT LR DI

CAT Questions

This is a beautiful multi-layered set. It appeared in the 2018 CAT previous year paper and it can be categorized as a pie chart based question. The plethora of data with the backdrop of sequences and series makes it a slightly difficult set. This question involves calculating percentage changes happening with the data. Try this out and assess the progess of your online CAT preparation.

CAT DILR : CAT 2018 Question Paper Slot 1

Set 4 : LED TV Sales

The multi-layered pie-chart below shows the sales of LED television sets for a big retail electronics outlet during 2016 and 2017. The outer layer shows the monthly sales during this period, with each label showing the month followed by sales figure of that month. For some months, the sales figures are not given in the chart. The middle-layer shows quarter-wise aggregate sales figures (in some cases, aggregate quarter-wise sales numbers are not given next to the quarter). The innermost layer shows annual sales. It is known that the sales figures during the three months of the second quarter (April, May, June) of 2016 form an arithmetic progression, as do the three monthly sales figures in the fourth quarter (October, November, December)of that year.

Question 3 : During which quarter was the percentage decrease in sales from the previous quarter’s sales the highest?

1. Q4 of 2017
2. Q1 of 2017
3. Q2 of 2017
4. Q2 of 2016

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Video Explanation

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Explanatory Answer

Method of solving this CAT Question on CAT DILR

Let us fill the simple numbers first.

Now, let us get to the two Arithmetic Progressions. It is known that the sales figures during the three months of the second quarter (April, May, June) of 2016 form an arithmetic progression, as do the three monthly sales figures in the fourth quarter (October, November, December)of that year.
Three terms are in AP, the middle term is the average of the three terms. So, May 2016 number is 50. And November 2016 should be 120.

Three terms are in AP, the middle term is the average of the three terms. So, May 2016 number is 50. And November 2016 should be 120.
Now, we can get the June and December numbers as well.
We are comparing \\frac{inc}{denominator}) , \\frac{inc}{denominator}) , \\frac{180}{380}), \\frac{90}{240})
We need the percentage decrease in sales and therfore the first two options are ruled out.
\\frac{180}{380}) is \\frac{9}{19}) and \\frac{90}{240}) is \\frac{3}{8})
\\frac{9}{19}) is greater than \\frac{3}{8}) and thus Q2 of 2017 has the highest percentage decrease in sales compared to previous quarter.

The question is "During which quarter was the percentage decrease in sales from the previous quarter’s sales the highest?"

Hence, the answer is Q2 of 2017

Choice C is the correct answer.