In which year was the population of Country P the highest?
2018
In which year was the population of Country P the highest?
Answer: D. 2016 — ConceptConsumption is the quantity retained for use after exports are removed from production: Consumption = Production − Exports. Per-capita consumption…
- A.
2013
- B.
2014
- C.
2015
- D.
2016
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
Consumption is the quantity retained for use after exports are removed from production: Consumption = Production − Exports.
Per-capita consumption equals total consumption divided by population. Therefore, Population = Consumption ÷ Per-capita consumption. With consumption in million kilograms and per-capita consumption in kilograms, the result is population in millions.
Application
For 2012: Consumption = 186.5 − 114 = 72.5 million kg; Population = 72.5 ÷ 36.25 = 2.00 million.
For 2013: Consumption = 202 − 114 = 88 million kg; Population = 88 ÷ 35.2 = 2.50 million.
For 2014: Consumption = 238 − 130 = 108 million kg; Population = 108 ÷ 38.7 ≈ 2.79 million.
For 2015: Consumption = 221 − 116 = 105 million kg; Population = 105 ÷ 40.5 ≈ 2.59 million.
For 2016: Consumption = 215 − 88 = 127 million kg; Population = 127 ÷ 42 ≈ 3.02 million.
Comparison
Year | Derived population (million) |
|---|---|
2012 | 2.00 |
2013 | 2.50 |
2014 | 2.79 |
2015 | 2.59 |
2016 | 3.02 |
Cross-check
Two checks confirm the comparison, each taking a route different from the divisions performed above.
Reversing the operation: 3.02 × 42 ≈ 127 and 2.59 × 40.5 ≈ 105 million kg, which return the consumption figures already computed for those two rows, so the divisions were carried out correctly.
Comparing the two leading contenders without dividing at all: 127 ÷ 42 against 108 ÷ 38.7 becomes 127 × 38.7 = 4914.9 against 108 × 42 = 4536, so 127 ÷ 42 is the larger ratio.
The largest derived population is 3.02 million, so the population of Country P was highest in 2016.