You may see data tables on your teaching or college placement test.
The key to answering questions on tables is to read the question carefully.
You will also need to interpret the data on the table correctly.
Tables − Addition of Data
|
Fuel Oil Consumption in Tons | |||
| Year | Pittsburg | Remainder of Pennsylvania | |
| 1994 | 1,823 | 4,521 | |
| 1999 | 1,714 | 4,679 | |
| 2004 | 1,927 | 6,018 | |
| 2009 | 2,496 | 7,852 | |
| 2014 | 1,997 | 7,029 | |
(1) Based on the data in the table above, what was the fuel oil consumption for the entire state of Pennsylvania for 2009?
A. 7,945
B. 7,852
C. 9,348
D. 9,026
E. 10,348
Tip: Look carefully at the column headings.
The last column of the table shows the total for the remainder of Pennsylvania.
In order to find the total for the state, we need to add the data from the two columns together.
Be sure that you are getting the data from the correct row.
Here, we want 2009, so we need the figures in the second row from the bottom of the table.
For 2009: 2,496 + 7,852 = 10,348
So, the correct answer is E.
Tables − Subtraction of Data
Now look at the second table below.
Compared to the table above, can you identify the difference in how the data is represented?
The difference is that the final column in the table above shows the data for the rest of the state.
However, the final column in the table below provides the data for the entire state.
|
Fuel Oil Consumption in Tons | |||
| Year | Pittsburg | All of Pennsylvania | |
| 1994 | 1,823 | 6,344 | |
| 1999 | 1,714 | 6,393 | |
| 2004 | 1,927 | 7,945 | |
| 2009 | 2,496 | 10,348 | |
| 2014 | 1,997 | 9,026 | |
(2) Based on the data in the table above, what was the fuel oil consumption for all areas in Pennsylvania except for Pittsburg for 2014?
A. 7,029
B. 7,852
C. 8,029
D. 9,026
E. 10,348
The last column of the table shows the total for the entire state of Pennsylvania.
In order to find the total fuel oil consumption for all areas in Pennsylvania except for Pittsburg for 2014, we need to subtract the amount for Pittsburg from the amount from the last column of the table.
For this question, we want 2014, so we need the figures in the last row of the table.
For 2014: 9,026 − 1,997 = 7029
So, the correct answer is A.
You should also have a look at the free examples on bar charts and line graphs.