The graphic displays results of an Internet survey on the effectiveness and popularity of various treatments for depression. The scale...
GMAT Graphics Interpretation : (GI) Questions
The graphic displays results of an Internet survey on the effectiveness and popularity of various treatments for depression. The scale on the horizontal axis represents popularity, \(\mathrm{P}\), defined as the fraction of all respondents who tried the treatment; the scale on the vertical axis represents effectiveness, \(\mathrm{F}\), defined as the fraction of all respondents who considered a given treatment to be effective.
On the basis of the information provided, select from each of the drop-down menus the option that creates the most accurate statement.
Owning the Dataset
Table 1: Text Analysis
| Component | Content |
|---|---|
| Data Source | Internet survey results |
| Subject | Variety of depression treatments |
| X-axis (P) | Popularity: Fraction of all respondents who tried the treatment \(\mathrm{(values\ 0\ to\ 1.0)}\) |
| Y-axis (F) | Effectiveness: Fraction of all respondents who considered a treatment effective \(\mathrm{(0\ to\ 0.7)}\) |
| Labels Noted | 12 labeled treatments (e.g., exercise, caffeine, sleep, talk therapy, etc.) |
Table 2: Chart Analysis
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Scatter plot (~30-35 blue dots) |
| Axes | X-axis: Popularity \(\mathrm{(0\ to\ 1.0)}\), Y-axis: Effectiveness \(\mathrm{(0\ to\ 0.7)}\) |
| Labels | 12 explicitly labeled treatments incl. exercise, caffeine, sleep, talk therapy, etc. |
| Prominent Pattern | Exercise: furthest right and highest dot, denoting most popular and most effective |
| Caffeine Position | Among most popular \(\mathrm{(P \gt 0.5)}\), but lowest on effectiveness axis |
| Distribution | Most labeled treatments with moderate to high popularity have mid-to-upper effectiveness |
Key Insights
- Exercise is both the most popular and the most effective treatment, as indicated by its position at the top right of the plot.
- Of all treatments tried by more than half of respondents (popularity \(\mathrm{\gt 0.5}\)), caffeine is rated the least effective.
- There is a broad positive correlation between popularity and effectiveness, but caffeine is a clear outlier—very popular, yet not seen as effective.
Step-by-Step Solution
Question 1: Most Effective and Popular Treatment
Complete Statement:
The treatment that was both the most effective and used by the greatest number of people is ______.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: The treatment that was both
- Meaning: This phrase signals that one treatment must satisfy two different conditions at the same time.
- Relation to Chart: We have to look for a single point on the scatter plot that is highest on both axes.
- Important Implications: We need to find the treatment that is simultaneously most effective and most popular.
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: the most effective
- Meaning: Effectiveness is measured as the fraction of respondents who found the treatment effective.
- Relation to Chart: This is represented on the Y-axis: higher Y value means more effective.
- Important Implications: We are searching for the point located at the top of the chart.
- What is needed: The single treatment that is positioned both furthest to the right (most popular) and highest up (most effective) on the plot.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
Use visual pattern recognition to identify the point that is both furthest right and highest up. - Necessary Data points:
The treatment labeled 'exercise' is both at the far right (most popular) and at the very top (most effective) of the plot.- Calculations Estimations: No numerical calculations required, just visual confirmation that 'exercise' is superior on both axes.
- Comparison to Answer Choices: 'Exercise' stands out compared to the other options (journaling, light therapy, massage therapy, meditation) because it is uniquely at the top right.
FINAL ANSWER Blank 1: exercise
Question 2: Least Effective Popular Treatment
Complete Statement:
Among the labeled treatments tried by more than half of the respondents, ______ was the least effective.
Breaking Down the Statement
- Statement Breakdown 1:
- Key Phrase: Among the labeled treatments tried by more than half of the respondents
- Meaning: We are only considering treatments that were tried by more than 50% of people.
- Relation to Chart: This corresponds to points that are to the right of the 0.5 point on the X-axis.
- Statement Breakdown 2:
- Key Phrase: was the least effective
- Meaning: Of the treatments above, find the one rated least effective.
- Relation to Chart: Look for the lowest Y-axis value among the treatments with \(\mathrm{X \gt 0.5}\).
- What is needed: The least effective treatment (lowest on Y-axis) among those with popularity greater than 0.5 on the X-axis.
Solution:
- Condensed Solution Implementation:
First, identify all labeled treatments with popularity (X) greater than 0.5; then, among those, find which has the lowest effectiveness (Y). - Necessary Data points:
Among answer options (caffeine, fish oil, journaling), caffeine and possibly others are to the right of the 0.5 X mark; caffeine is notably low on the Y-axis.- Calculations Estimations: No direct calculations needed, as visual inspection of scatter plot shows 'caffeine' is popular \(\mathrm{(X \gt 0.5)}\) but lowest in effectiveness among those options.
- Comparison to Answer Choices: Caffeine is the answer, as it is tried by over half the respondents but is less effective than the other options listed.
FINAL ANSWER Blank 2: caffeine
Summary
By visually inspecting the scatter plot, we see that 'exercise' achieves both the highest popularity and effectiveness, making it the correct answer for the first blank. For the second blank, among treatments with popularity greater than 0.5, 'caffeine' stands out as the least effective, even though it is widely tried. This method relies on finding where points are positioned on the plot relative to the X and Y axes without needing numerical calculations.
Question Independence Analysis
Each question can be solved independently since the first asks for the best overall in both popularity and effectiveness, while the second is restricted to the least effective among only the popular treatments. The answer to one does not affect the other.