Data Interpretation

Data interpretation refers to the process of reviewing provided data and to use these data
for calculating the required value. The data can be provided in various forms like in table
format, pie chart, line graph, bar graph, caselet or a combination of these.

Points to Remember

Read the entire question carefully – Read the complete data given in the form of
values, graph etc.
Analyze the data – Take a look and analyze the data carefully. Don’t get diverted or
afraid due to a lot of information and avoid skipping the information before giving a
glance to it.
Pay attention to the units – Many times, different units are used in one question. For
example, speed is given in km/h and time is to be calculated in seconds.
Use of approximation – If the options are adequately far apart then you can
approximate values, fractions and percentages to nearby numbers which can ease
our calculations.
Use of last Digit – Check if all options have different last digits, then to find the correct
option, we can just calculate the last digit of our answer (but then approximation is
not at all allowed).
Mental calculations – Try to do mental calculations as frequently as possible while
practicing. It will help in minimizing the time to solve the question.

Types of Data Interpretation

Tabular DI
 Pie chart
Bar graph
Line graph
Caselet DI

Tabular DI
In this data is provided in horizontal rows and vertical columns called tabular form. We
need to understand the given information and thereafter answer the given questions.

Directions: Study the following information carefully and answer the given questions
based on it.

Table shows the number of trees planted by the government in 6 different years.

  Banyan Neem Teak

2013 30000 25000 15000

2014 35000 30000 5000

2015 35000 45000 10000

2016 40000 40000 25000

2017 45000 55000 35000

2018 55000 50000 40000

Q1. Find the respective ratio between the number of neem trees planted in the year 2015
and the number of banyan trees planted in the year 2014

Solution: 
 Number of neem trees planted in 2015 = 45000

Number of banyan trees planted in 2014 = 35000

Required ratio = 45000 ∶ 35000 = 9 ∶ 7

Q2. What was the approximate average number of neem trees planted in all the years
together?

Solution:

Total number of neem trees planted in all the years = 25000 + 30000 + 45000 + 40000 +
55000 + 50000 = 245000

Required average = 245000/6 = 40833.33 ≈ 40830 (approx. depends on options given in

question)

Q3. How much percent more teak trees planted by government in the year 2017 as
compared to 2016?

Solution: 

Total teak trees planted in year 2017 = 35000

Total teak tree planted in year 2016 = 25000

Percentage increase = (35000 - 25000)/25000 × 100 = 40%.

Pie Chart
It is a circular chart divided in various sectors. The sectors of the circle are constructed
in such a way that the area of each sector is proportional to the corresponding values of
information provided. In pie charts total quantity is distributed over a total angle of 360°
or 100%.

Points to Remember

Value of sector = (Angle of sector/360°) × Total Value of sector

Value of sector = (Percentage of sector/100) × Total value
Directions: The following Pie chart shows the percentage of students who like five
different subjects of engineering from college x. Percentage of students who like 5
different subjects of engineering.

Q1. What is the difference between the number of students who like Analogue
Electronics and VLSI Design?

Solution: 

Number of students liking Analogue Electronics = (1000/100) × 24 = 240.

Number of students liking VLSI Design = (1000/100) × 18 = 180.

Required difference = 240 – 180 = 60.

Q2. Find the total number of students who like Analogue Electronics, VLSI Design and
Wireless Communication.

Solution: 

Number of students liking Analogue Electronics = (1000/100) × 24 = 240.

Number of students liking VLSI Design = (1000/100) × 18 = 180.

Number of students liking Wireless Communication = (1000/100) × 18 = 180.

Total number of students = 240 + 180 + 180 = 600.

Q3. The number of students who like VLSI Design are how much percent less than the
number of students who like Analogue Electronics?
 Solution: 

Number of students liking VLSI Design = (1000/100) × 18 = 180.

Number of students liking Analogue Electronics = (1000/100) × 24 = 240.

Difference of students = 240 – 180 = 60

Required percentage = (60/240) × 100 = 25%.

Bar Graph
Directions: Study the given graph and answer the question that follows.

Q1. What is the ratio of the total daily sales of newspaper P in cities A and C to the total
daily sales of newspaper Q in cities B and D?

Solution: 

Total sales of newspaper P in cities A and C = 640 + 480 = 1120

Total sales of newspaper Q in cities B and D = 600 + 680 = 1280

Required ratio = 1120:1280 = 7:8.

Q2. The total daily sales of newspaper P in cities, B, D and E is what percentage less than
that of newspaper Q in cities A, C, D and E?

Solution:
 Total sales of newspaper P in cities B, D and E = 560 + 750 + 550 = 1860

Total sales of newspaper Q in cities A, C, D and E = 450 + 650 + 680 + 620 = 2400

Required percentage = [(2400 – 1860)/2400] × 100 = 22.5%.

Line Graph
A line graph shows the quantitative information or a relationship between two changing
quantities with a line or curve. We are required to understand the given information and
thereafter answer the given questions.

Directions: Read the following line graph carefully and answer the given questions below:

Following line graph shows the number of red- and blue-coloured candies (in lakhs)
produced in 6 different years.

Q1. Candies produced of red colour in 2018 are what percentage less/more than candies
produced of red colour in 2017?

Solution:

Candies produced of red colour in 2018 = 40 lakhs

Candies produced of red colour in 2017 = 50 lakhs

Required percentage = (50 – 40)/50 × 100 = 20%.

Q2. Total candies produced in years 2014 and 2015 are how much more/less than total
candies produced in years 2017 and 2018 together?

Solution:

Total candies produced in years 2014 and 2015 = 25 + 40 + 35 + 25 = 125 lakhs

Total candies produced in years 2017 and 2018 = 50 + 35 + 40 + 20 = 145 lakhs

Required difference = 145 – 125 = 20 lakhs.

Q3. For how many years candies produced of blue color are more or equal to average
candies produced of blue color for all the years?

Solution:

Average number of blue color candies = (30 + 40 + 25 + 30 + 35 + 20)/6 = 180/6 = 30

lakhs.

Hence, required years = 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017.

Number of years = 4.

Q4. Find the difference between total number of red color candies and total number of
blue color candies produced throughout the 6 years.

Solution:

Total number of red color candies = 20 + 25 + 35 + 20 + 50 + 40 = 190 lakhs

Total number of blue color candies = 30 + 40 + 25 + 30 + 35 + 20 = 180 lakhs

Required difference = 190 – 180 = 10 lakhs.

Q5. Find the ratio of the number of candies of red color produced in years 2013, 2014 and
2015 together to the number of candies of blue color produced in years 2016, 2017 and
2018 together.

Solution:
 The number of candies of red color produced in years 2013, 2014 and 2015 together = 20
+ 25 + 35 = 80 lakhs

The number of candies of blue color produced in years 2016, 2017 and 2018 together = 30
+ 35 + 20 = 85 lakhs

Required ratio = 80/85 = 16: 17

Caselet DI
In Caselet DI, a long paragraph is provided and with that as the basis, some sets of
questions are asked. We need to understand the given information and then answer the
given questions.

Comprehension:

Three friends A, B and C went to a shopping mall to buy laptop (individually), they all are
having same amount of money equal to the value of MRP of a Laptop (i.e., Rs. 60000) but
each one of them got different discounts from the exclusive showroom. If A paid Rs.
51000, B has paid Rs. 3000 more than what A has paid while C has paid the amount equal
to the average value of amount paid by A and B together. Find the answer of the
following questions based on the given information:

Q1. What is the ratio of the total amount paid by A, B and C together to the sum of MRP of
all the three laptops?

Solution:

The MRP of each laptop = Rs. 60000;

The sum of MRP of 3 laptops = 60000 × 3 = Rs. 1,80,000

Now, amount paid by A = Rs. 51000

Amount paid by B = Rs. 51000 + 3000 = Rs. 54000

Amount paid by C = (51000 + 54000)/2 = Rs. 52500

The total amount paid by A, B and C together = 51000 + 54000 + 52500 = Rs. 1,57,500
The ratio of the total amount paid by A, B and C together to the sum of MRP of all the
three laptops = 157500:180000 = 7:8