Directions for questions : The following diagram shows the percentage share of…
2024
Directions for questions : The following diagram shows the percentage share of manufacturing sector in total employment in small, medium and large establishments individually. The definitions of small, large and medium establishments are shown below in the diagram
Small establishments are defined as those with fewer than 100 employees. Medium-sized establishments are defined as those with between 100 and 1500 employees. Large establishments are defined as those with more than 1500 employees. Study the diagram carefully and answer the questions given below:
Suppose that in 1996, there were 100,000 employees in manufacturing sector. There were 750 small establishments. What was the average number of employed persons per small establishment manufacturing unit?
- A.
36
- B.
56
- C.
32
- D.
Can't be determined
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
In a percentage-share bar chart, when the percentages shown for the sub-categories of a single year sum to more than 100%, each bar cannot be a three-way split of one combined total - a genuine split's parts must add to 100%. Such a chart instead shows each sub-category's own share of its own total (here: manufacturing employment as a percentage of each establishment-size class's total workforce). A question that then asks for a value needing the reverse breakdown - the count of employees belonging to one sub-category out of a stated combined total - cannot be answered unless that sub-category's own total (not its manufacturing share) is separately known.
Application
Read the 1996 bars: small establishments about 45%, medium establishments about 75%, large establishments about 35%.
Sum the three shares: 45 + 75 + 35 = 155%, which is far above 100%.
Since a genuine one-way split of the 100,000 manufacturing employees among small, medium and large establishments must sum to exactly 100%, this confirms each bar is manufacturing's share of that establishment-size category's own total employment (across all sectors), not a partition of the 100,000 manufacturing employees.
To get the number of employees in small-establishment manufacturing units, we would need small establishments' total employment (all sectors) so that 45% of it could be taken - or we would need to be told the manufacturing headcount specifically inside small establishments directly. Neither figure is given.
Therefore, the number of employees in small-establishment manufacturing units - and so the average per small establishment (dividing by 750) - cannot be computed from the data provided.
Cross-check
If the chart were instead a three-way split of the 100,000 manufacturing workers, the three percentages for any year would have to add to 100%. They do not (155% in 1996), which rules out that reading and confirms the data-insufficiency conclusion rather than any of the three numeric options.
Result: Can't be determined.