GMAT Focus EditionData InsightsMedium

A data analyst is examining sales data for a retail company across three regions: North, South, and West. The analyst wants to determine the sales contribution of each region to the total company sales. The data for the last fiscal year is as follows: North Region: Sales = $2,500,000 South Region: Sales = $3,500,000 West Region: Sales = $4,000,000 What percentage of total sales does the North Region contribute?

  1. A40%
  2. B25%
  3. C35%
  4. D30%
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. 25%

First, calculate the total sales for the company: $2,500,000 (North) + $3,500,000 (South) + $4,000,000 (West) = $10,000,000. Then, divide the North Region's sales by the total sales and multiply by 100 to get the percentage: ($2,500,000 / $10,000,000) * 100% = 0.25 * 100% = 25%.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This is the percentage for the West Region.
  • C. This is close to the South Region's actual percentage (35%).
  • D. This is the percentage for South Region if it were $3,000,000.

Percentage Contribution

Percentage contribution measures the proportion of a specific component relative to a total sum, expressed as a percentage.

  • Calculated as (Part / Whole) * 100%.
  • Useful for understanding relative importance or share.
  • The sum of all percentage contributions should equal 100%.

Memory trick: Part to Whole, then Percent's Goal!

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