A 4 min read

Introduction:

Navigating hard DI Table Analysis questions often feels like deciphering a maze. However, lurking beneath those dense layers of intricate statements often lies a simplified, more digestible truth. This post aims to illuminate one such “challenging” question and break it down using the art of simplification—a critical skill both for the GMAT and real-world scenarios.

Solve Official Question  

This is a Hard official question:  Try your hand at it. 

If your first reaction after reading the above section was – WHAT DID I JUST READ!!!! – then stay with me!  If, instead, you breezed through it, then solve the question at hand, read the conclusion, and check the detailed solution in my next post!  For now, let’s see how we can demystify this complexity!

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Simplification in Action

Introduction

On the GMAT Focus Edition DI section, ALWAYS PACE your Reading.

Let’s concentrate on our complicated sentence:  For each of the four categories of statistics, a state/territory is typical if and only if it is neither among the 25% of listed states/territories with the least values for that category nor among the 25% of listed states/territories with the greatest values for that category.

If you read such a complicated sentence in one go, the chances of you understanding the meaning are very slim.  Instead, always slow down, strategically pausing and contextualizing with the table as you read.

In Action

Let’s see it in action as I decode this statement: 

• For each of the four categories of statistics:
  • These 4 categories are indeed the 4 columns in the table – see how we related the statement with the table.
• A state/territory is typical if and only if:
  • This sets our strict criteria.
• It is neither:
  • Introduces two conditions.
  • Since neither implies that there is a nor.  Hence we have two conditions.
• Among the 25% of listed states/territories with the least values for that category:
  • Listed states è we count the number of rows in the table. 
    • Upon counting, we see 8 rows.
      • Thus, we have 8 states/territories.
  • 25% of 8? That’s 2.
  • This implies a state shouldn’t rank in the bottom two for that category when arranged by its value.
• Nor among the 25% of listed states/territories with the greatest values for that category:
  • Similarly, a state shouldn’t rank in the top two for that category when sorted by its value.
• The Simplified Statement:
  • For each category, a state is termed ‘typical’ if its rank lies between 3rd to 6th (inclusive) among the 8 states, based on its values.
  • Or, if we visualize it with respect to a table, it should be placed in any of the four middle rows when the table is sorted by that specific category value.

Output from Simplification Exercise

• Complex Statement:  For each of the four categories of statistics, a state/territory is typical if and only if it is neither among the 25% of listed states/territories with the least values for that category nor among the 25% of listed states/territories with the greatest values for that category.
• Simplified Statement: For each category, a state is termed ‘typical’ if it is placed in any of the four middle rows when the table is sorted by that specific category value.

Why the Need for Simplification?

GMAT Focus Edition questions are made difficult by pulling several levers.  Presenting complex statements such as this one is one since it allows the assessment of students’ verbal and analytical prowess.   Remember – life is filled with complex scenarios and simplifying your way through such complexities is a sought-after skill! 

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Want to practice?

Having simplified our main question, let’s practice this skill with similar problems. Try to simplify these scenarios and check the results:

Conclusion: Simplification of DI Table Analysis

DI Table Analysis might wear a tough exterior, but with the right tools and mindset, you can cut through its complexity.  SIMPLIFICATION is a key verbal skill (and Quant process skill too!!!)

Always remember, every convoluted statement has a simpler version.

Your task? To unearth it! Happy Learning!

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