Data Interpretation · Topic 1 of 5

📋 Reading a Dataset

1 exam question type, fully solved

Data Interpretation (DI) gives you a set of numbers — in a table or a chart — and asks a question about them. The maths is easy; the marks are won by reading the right number and choosing the right one of four small moves.

The four moves every DI question is built from

• Total: add the row or column you are asked about. Find it once and reuse it.

• Share (what % of total): . Reduce the fraction before multiplying by 100.

• Ratio of two items: write the raw numbers and cancel the common factor — never use decimals.

• Percentage change: . The base is always the old (earlier) value — the No. 1 trap.

📊Chart Readerinteractive

Sales by Year (₹ Crore) — click a bar

Total₹258 Cr

Max₹70 Cr

Min₹28 Cr

Average₹51.6 Cr

DI Questions

Q1. Which year had the highest sales?

Q2. What is the percentage increase in sales from 2019 to 2023?

Q3. What fraction of total sales does 2020 represent? (Total = 258)

If a value rises from 40 to 50, the percentage increase is %.

Q1Sales over 4 days were 18, 22, 30 and 30. What percent of the total came on day 3 (value 30)?

Q2Two items have values 84 and 56. Their ratio in lowest terms is:

Q3A value rises from 40 to 50. The percentage increase is:

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Real exam questions — Reading a Dataset

1 question types · 4 solved examples from real SSC papers

Every DI question is built from four small moves — total, share, ratio and percentage change. Master them on a plain table and the charts become easy.

How to solve this type

Almost every DI question is one of four small jobs done on the given numbers.

1. Total — just add the column/row you are asked about. Most questions need a total first, so find it once and reuse it.

2. Share (what percent of total):

\dfrac{\text{this item}}{\text{total}}\times100

. Simplify the fraction before multiplying.

3. Ratio of two items: write A : B with the raw numbers, then cancel the common factor — never convert to decimals.

4. Percentage change between an old and a new value:

\dfrac{\text{new}-\text{old}}{\text{old}}\times100

. The base is always the OLD (earlier) value — this is the single most common trap.

A shop sold the following number of phones in a week:

Day	Phones sold
Mon	18
Tue	22
Wed	30
Thu	25
Fri	25

What percent of the week’s total sales happened on Wednesday?

A20%B25%C30%D24%

The table shows runs scored by two players in a match:

Player	Runs
Rohit	84
Virat	56

What is the ratio of Rohit’s runs to Virat’s runs?

A4 : 3B3 : 2C7 : 5D14 : 9

A company’s yearly profit is given below:

Year	Profit (₹ lakh)
2022	40
2023	50

What is the percentage increase in profit from 2022 to 2023?

A20%B25%C10%D15%

Marks scored by a student:

Subject	Marks	Out of
Maths	72	80
English	60	75

In which subject is the percentage higher, and what is it?

AEnglish, 80%BMaths, 90%CMaths, 85%DEnglish, 75%