The graph shows the total number of Smartphone users and the total population worldwide for each of the years 2000–2010....
GMAT Graphics Interpretation : (GI) Questions
The graph shows the total number of Smartphone users and the total population worldwide for each of the years 2000–2010.
From each drop-down menu, select the option that creates the most accurate statement based on the information provided
Owning the Dataset
Table 1: Text Analysis
| Text Component | Literal Content | Simple Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Dataset Subject | The graph shows the total number of Smartphone users | Counts how many people used smartphones worldwide |
| Additional Metric | and the total population worldwide | Includes world population as a comparison |
| Time Span | for each of the years 2000–2010 | Data covers every year from 2000 to 2010 |
Table 2: Chart Analysis
| Chart Feature | Details | Meaning/Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Chart Type | Combo chart: bars for smartphone users, line for population | Visualizes two trends together on one timeline |
| Y-Axis | Left: users (0–2,500 million), Right: population (6,000–7,000 million) | Dual axes compare two metrics of different magnitudes |
| Users Trend | Users: 400 million (2000) → 2,050 million (2010), bars rise sharper over time | Smartphone user growth is much faster and accelerates after 2006 |
| Population Trend | Population: 6,100 million (2000) → 6,880 million (2010), line is nearly straight | World population growth is steady and almost linear |
| Relative Growth | Users rise far faster than population; gap widens every year | Penetration rate of smartphones increases quickly year over year |
Key Insights
- Smartphone users increased dramatically (over fivefold from 400M to 2,050M) while world population only increased about \(13\%\) (6,100M to 6,880M) between 2000 and 2010.
- The chart visually shows that smartphone adoption accelerated (bars rise sharply), especially after 2006, while population grew at a steady, gradual rate (line almost straight).
- As a result, the number of smartphone users per 100 people rose from about 6.6 to 29.8, showing rapid penetration of smartphones globally in just a decade.
Step-by-Step Solution
Question 1: Percent Increase in Smartphone Users
Complete Statement:
The percent increase in the total number of Smartphone users from 2002 to 2007 was approximately _____ \(\%\).
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: percent increase
- Meaning: We are being asked by what percentage the number of smartphone users increased over a period.
- Relation to Chart: We need to identify the number of users in 2002 and 2007 from the chart.
- Important Implications: Apply the percent change formula: \(\frac{\mathrm{New - Old}}{\mathrm{Old}} \times 100\%\).
- Key Phrase: percent increase
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: from 2002 to 2007
- Meaning: These are our two relevant years.
- Relation to Chart: We'll use data points from these specific years.
- Important Implications: Only these two values are needed for the calculation.
- Key Phrase: from 2002 to 2007
What is needed: By what percent did the total number of smartphone users increase between 2002 and 2007?
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Estimate the values from the chart and use the percent change formula. As answer choices are widely separated, an approximate calculation suffices. - Necessary Data points:
Number of smartphone users in 2002 (about 700 million) and in 2007 (about 1350 million).- Calculations Estimations:
Increase = 1350 million - 700 million = 650 million. Percent increase = \(\frac{650}{700} \times 100\% \approx 93\%\). - Comparison to Answer Choices:
\(93\%\) is closest to \(100\%\) (the available choices are \(50\%\), \(100\%\), \(200\%\), \(300\%\)). \(100\%\) is the best answer.
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 1: 100
Question 2: Increase in Smartphone Users per 100 People
Complete Statement:
The number of Smartphone users per 100 people increased by approximately _____ from 2000 to 2010.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: users per 100 people
- Meaning: This describes the rate of smartphone users per 100 people (penetration rate).
- Relation to Chart: Requires both total users and total population numbers for relevant years.
- Key Phrase: users per 100 people
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: increased by
- Meaning: We are to find the absolute difference between the two rates.
- Relation to Chart: Subtract the 2000 rate from the 2010 rate.
- Key Phrase: increased by
What is needed: How much did the number of smartphone users per 100 people go up from 2000 to 2010?
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Estimate the user and population numbers for the specified years and calculate the rates, then take the difference. - Necessary Data points:
2000: 400 million users, 6100 million population. 2010: 2050 million users, 6880 million population.- Calculations Estimations:
2000 rate: \(\frac{400}{6100} \times 100 \approx 6.6\) per 100 people. 2010 rate: \(\frac{2050}{6880} \times 100 \approx 29.8\) per 100 people. Difference \(\approx 29.8 - 6.6 \approx 23.2\). - Comparison to Answer Choices:
23.2 is closest to 24 among the choices (6, 12, 24, 30, 36). Therefore, 24 is the best answer.
- Calculations Estimations:
FINAL ANSWER Blank 2: 24
Summary
Both questions were solved using estimation and simple calculations, matched to answer choice ranges. For question 1, the choice closest to the estimated percentage increase is \(100\%\). For question 2, the increase in users per 100 people rounds to 24. Estimation was sufficient due to the spacing of answer choices.
Question Independence Analysis
The questions are independent: the first concerns percent change in total users over a short period, while the second concerns the absolute rate increase per 100 people over a different period. No answer or method from one is needed for the other.