Consolidated Metals manufactures only ashtrays and umbrella stands. In 1983, ashtrays accounted for 40 percent of their production. In 1993...

GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions

Source: Official Guide

Critical Reasoning

Inference

MEDIUM

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Consolidated Metals manufactures only ashtrays and umbrella stands. In 1983, ashtrays accounted for 40 percent of their production. In 1993 they produced more umbrella stands than in 1983, but the increase in the number of ashtrays they produced was even greater over the same ten year period.

If all the facts above are true, which of the following must also be true?

In 1993, the percentage of Consolidated Metal's production devoted to ashtrays was greater than that in 1983.

In 1993, Consolidated Metals produced fewer ashtrays than umbrella stands.

In 1993, ashtrays were more cost-efficient to produce than they were in 1983

The production of umbrella stands required more labor in 1993 than did ashtrays in 1983.

In 1993, Consolidated Metals produced more ashtrays than umbrella stands.

Solution

Passage Visualization

Passage Statement	Visualization and Linkage
Consolidated Metals manufactures only ashtrays and umbrella stands.	Establishes: Product constraint - only 2 products Key Insight: Total production = Ashtrays + Umbrella stands Example: If total production = 1000 units, then Ashtrays + Umbrella stands = 1000 units exactly
In 1983, ashtrays accounted for 40 percent of their production.	Establishes: 1983 baseline proportions Ashtrays: 40% of total production Umbrella stands: 60% of total production Example: 1983 Total: 1000 units 1983 Ashtrays: 400 units (40%) 1983 Umbrella stands: 600 units (60%)
In 1993 they produced more umbrella stands than in 1983.	Establishes: Umbrella stand growth constraint Pattern: 1993 Umbrella stands > 1983 Umbrella stands Example: 1983 Umbrella stands: 600 units 1993 Umbrella stands: >600 units (e.g., 700 units)
The increase in the number of ashtrays they produced was even greater over the same ten year period.	Establishes: Comparative growth rates Pattern: Ashtray increase > Umbrella stand increase Example: Umbrella stand increase: \(700 - 600 = 100\) units Ashtray increase: >100 units (e.g., 150 units) 1993 Ashtrays: \(400 + 150 = 550\) units Critical Pattern: Both products increased, but ashtrays increased more in absolute terms
Overall Implication	Key Pattern Revealed: Since ashtrays had a larger absolute increase than umbrella stands, and total production must have grown significantly, ashtrays likely increased their share of total production from their 1983 baseline of 40%. Complete Example: 1983: 400 ashtrays, 600 umbrella stands (1000 total) 1993: 550 ashtrays, 700 umbrella stands (1250 total) Result: Both products increased, with ashtrays showing greater absolute growth

Valid Inferences

Inference: By combining the facts about product constraints and comparative growth rates, we can conclude that Consolidated Metals increased production of both product types between 1983 and 1993, with ashtrays experiencing greater absolute growth.

Supporting Logic: Since Consolidated Metals produces only two products and both umbrella stands and ashtrays increased in absolute numbers over the ten-year period, with ashtrays showing an even greater increase than umbrella stands, the company's total production must have grown substantially. The phrase "even greater" indicates that ashtrays not only increased but increased by a larger absolute amount than umbrella stands.

Clarification Note: While we know both products increased in absolute terms with ashtrays showing greater growth, we cannot definitively conclude what happened to the percentage breakdown without specific numbers, though the pattern suggests ashtrays likely gained market share within the company's product mix.

Answer Choices Explained

In 1993, the percentage of Consolidated Metal's production devoted to ashtrays was greater than that in 1983.

This must be true based on our analysis. Since both products increased in absolute numbers, but ashtrays had a greater absolute increase than umbrella stands, ashtrays will represent a larger percentage of total production in 1993 compared to their 40% share in 1983. The math works out that when ashtrays grow by a larger absolute amount, they capture a bigger slice of the total production pie.

In 1993, Consolidated Metals produced fewer ashtrays than umbrella stands.

This cannot be determined from the given information. While we know both products increased and ashtrays increased more, we don't know if ashtrays overtook umbrella stands in total numbers. Umbrella stands started with a 60% share in 1983, so even with ashtrays growing faster, umbrella stands could still be the larger product category in 1993.

In 1993, ashtrays were more cost-efficient to produce than they were in 1983

This statement is about cost-efficiency of production, but our passage only gives us information about production quantities. We have no data about costs, efficiency, or production methods, so we cannot determine anything about cost-efficiency from the given facts.

The production of umbrella stands required more labor in 1993 than did ashtrays in 1983.

This statement is about labor requirements for production, but again, our passage only discusses production quantities. We have no information about labor, workforce requirements, or production processes, so this cannot be determined from the given facts.

In 1993, Consolidated Metals produced more ashtrays than umbrella stands.

Similar to Choice B, this cannot be determined. While ashtrays increased by a greater amount than umbrella stands, we don't know if this was enough to make ashtrays the dominant product. Umbrella stands had a significant head start (60% vs 40% in 1983), so ashtrays might still be the smaller category even after their larger increase.

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