Mastering Data Interpretation with a Real-World Example

Data Interpretation (DI) challenges often involve extracting and analyzing information from various data formats. Tables, being a straightforward yet versatile format, are a favorite in exams. Below is a sample DI problem based on a table, followed by a step-by-step solution that illustrates how to approach these questions effectively.

Example Problem: Sales Data Analysis

You are given the following table showing the sales figures (in units) for three different products (Product A, Product B, Product C) over four quarters of a year.

Question:

Calculate the percentage increase in total sales from Q1 to Q4.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Calculate Total Sales for Q1 and Q4

First, we need to find the total sales for both quarters.

• Q1 Total Sales = Sales of Product A + Product B + Product C in Q1 = 150 (A) + 200 (B) + 250 (C) = 600 units

• Q4 Total Sales = Sales of Product A + Product B + Product C in Q4 = 300 (A) + 360 (B) + 400 (C) = 1060 units

Step 2: Calculate the Increase in Sales

To find the increase, subtract the Q1 total from the Q4 total.

• Increase in Sales = Q4 Total Sales – Q1 Total Sales = 1060 units (Q4) – 600 units (Q1) = 460 units

Step 3: Calculate the Percentage Increase

The percentage increase is calculated by dividing the increase in sales by the total sales in Q1 and then multiplying by 100.

• Percentage Increase = (Increase in Sales / Q1 Total Sales) × 100 = (460 / 600) × 100 = 76.67%

Conclusion:

The total sales increased by 76.67% from Q1 to Q4. This significant increase highlights the overall positive sales performance across all products.