Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
Data interpretation is an important part of competitive exams. The tables or charts contain data and there are at least 5 questions from each set of data. The questions look lengthy but they are not different and once the formulas are applied they can be solved easily. The questions are simple and easy to understand but might take time to go through because the data sets given are usually extensive and while doing the calculations you have to look at them repeatedly to avoid mistakes.
Different types of data
The data in data interpretation can be given in several forms. The most common form of data is tabular data. The other types of data sources may be a bit difficult to read at first but they become familiar with the practice.
Tabular data
In this type of data interpretation, the data is given in a table. For example, the table below contains data about the average marks of 5th standard students in 4 in years in 4 subjects. You have to answer the questions from this table
Q. 1. What is the average of maths numbers for four years?
A. 1. The average of maths numbers for four years is ( 30 + 40 + 50 + 60) / 4 = 180 / 4 = 45
Q. 2. Which subject has the lowest number in 2018?
A. 2. The subject that has the lowest number in 2018 is the History
Bar Chart
In this type of data interpretation, a bar chart is given to writing the data.
For example, this bar chart presents the performance of 4 companies by comparing their expense, profit, and revenue in 2021. The data is given in million of dollars Answer the questions from this chart
Q. 1. Which company had the highest amount of net expense?
A. 1. The company that had the highest amount of net expense is Company 3
Q. 2. Find out the average expenses of company 1 and company 3.
A. 2. The average of expenses of company 1 and company 3 is ( 14 + 18 ) / 2 = 16 million dollars
Pie Chart
In this type of chart, the data is given in a pie chart. For example, the chart below shows the performance of 4 students in an aptitude test. Find out the answers using this data
Q. 1. What are the average performance of student 1 and student 3?
A. 1. The average performance of student 1 and student 3 is ( 20 + 40 ) / 2 = 30 %
Graph
In this type of question, a graph is used to represent data. The graph shown here a comparison between data from different sources and the questions is asked about them.
Percentage
The formulas of percentage should be remembered to answer these types of questions. They provide data on the profit or loss and then the rest has to be calculated. Sometimes these questions provide data on the attendance or absence of a percentage of students and from there you have to calculate other information.
Ratio
The ratios given in the data interpretation questions mostly deal with some sort of mixing and quantity of several components in a mixture of a compound thing. The logic behind this type of question is based on usual questions of ratio. For example, there might be given three beverages with the ratio of sugar, water, and salt and you may have to calculate any other new criterion.
Proportion
The proportions given in the data interpretation questions mostly deal with some sort of comparison and quantity of several components in a mixture of a compound thing. The logic behind this type of question is based on usual questions of proportions. For example, there may be given the proportions of two liquids with all their components and you may have to calculate their average nutrition content.
Conclusion
Thus, data interpretation helps us in real-time while doing lengthy sums and different types of calculations. The questions can be answered better if you have a thorough knowledge of other parts of maths, especially arithmetic. Sometimes you need to look into the options given for the MCQs to know the right answer. If the options are predictable and you can guess the answer by looking at it, then you do not have to calculate it.
