OGQR 2020: Question No. 209
What was the population of City X in 2002?
- X’s population in 2002 increased by 2 percent, or 20,000 people, over 2001.
- In 2001, X’s population was 1,000,000.
| Source | OGQR 2020 |
| Type | Data Sufficiency |
| Topic | Word Problems |
| Sub-Topic | Percentages |
| Difficulty | Medium |
Solution
Steps 1 & 2: Understand Question and Draw Inferences
In this question, we are asked to find the population of city X in 2002.
We do not have much information to infer from, let us move to analyse the statements.
Step 3: Analyse Statement 1
“X’s population in 2002 increased by 2 percent, or 20,000 people, over 2001.”
- Percentage increase in population of city X in 2002 over 2001 = 2%
- Increase in population of city X in 2002 over 2001 = 20,000
- Hence, 2% of population of city X in 2001 = 20,000
- Therefore, we can find the population of city X in 2001 and then 2% increase or 20,000 increase will give the population of city X in 2002.
- Hence, 2% of population of city X in 2001 = 20,000
Thus, statement 1 is sufficient to answer the question.
Step 4: Analyse Statement 2
“In 2001, X’s population was 1,000,000.”
From this statement, we cannot find the population of city X in 2002.
Thus, statement 2 is not sufficient to answer the question.
Step 5: Combine Both Statements Together (If Needed)
Since we could determine the answer from statement 1 individually, this step is not required.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.
