IBPS PO · Quantitative Aptitude
Test yourself on Data Interpretation
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Data Interpretation (DI) is one of the highest-weighted areas in the IBPS PO Prelims Quantitative Aptitude section, typically contributing 10–15 questions out of 35. The questions test your ability to extract numerical data from tables, charts, or paragraphs and perform calculations involving percentages, ratios, averages, and basic arithmetic.
Unlike standalone arithmetic problems, DI requires you to first understand the data structure, identify what's being asked, and then apply the right formula—all under time pressure. Speed and accuracy in calculation are paramount since DI sets are interconnected; one misread figure can derail multiple answers.
Mastering DI is a guaranteed scoring opportunity. The data is given to you—there's no ambiguity about values. Your job is simply to interpret correctly and calculate efficiently. Students who develop mental math shortcuts and approximation techniques consistently outperform in this section.
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| Concept | Formula / Fact | |---------|----------------| | Percentage | Value = (Percentage/100) × Total | | Percentage Change | [(New − Old) / Old] × 100 | | Ratio to Value | If A:B = 3:5 and total = 800, then A = (3/8) × 800 = 300 | | Average | Sum of values / Number of values | | Pie Chart Degree | Degree = (Value / Total) × 360° | | Percentage from Degree | Percentage = (Degree / 360) × 100 | | Growth Rate (Compound) | Final = Initial × (1 + r/100)ⁿ | | Bar/Line Reading | Always check Y-axis scale and starting point (may not be zero) |
**Quick Multiplication Tricks**:
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### Example 1: Table-Based DI
**Data**: Production of cars (in thousands) by five companies in 2022.
| Company | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |---------|-----|-----|-----|-----| | A | 45 | 52 | 48 | 55 | | B | 38 | 41 | 44 | 47 | | C | 60 | 58 | 62 | 64 | | D | 33 | 36 | 39 | 42 | | E | 50 | 55 | 53 | 57 |
**Q: What is the percentage increase in Company D's production from Q1 to Q4?**
Solution:
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### Example 2: Pie Chart DI
**Data**: Distribution of 6000 employees across departments.
**Q: How many more employees are in IT than in HR?**
Solution:
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### Example 3: Caselet DI
**Data**: "A company's total revenue in 2023 was ₹80 lakh. Product X contributed 35% and Product Y contributed 25% of total revenue. The remaining revenue came from Product Z."
**Q: What is the ratio of revenue from Product Y to Product Z?**
Solution:
(Note: No need to calculate actual values when ratio is asked.)
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| Wrong Thinking | Correct Fix | |----------------|-------------| | "I'll calculate exact values for every question" | Approximate first; calculate exactly only if options are close. Save 2–3 minutes per set. | | Confusing percentage OF vs percentage MORE | "A is 25% more than B" means A = 1.25B, not A = 0.25B. Read prepositions carefully. | | Using wrong base for percentage change | Percentage increase is always calculated on the OLD/ORIGINAL value, not the new one. | | Ignoring units in the table title | A table showing "values in crores" means 45 = ₹45 crore, not ₹45. Missing this multiplies your answer by 10⁷. | | Solving all questions in a set | Some questions in a set are deliberately time-consuming. Skip the toughest one; solve the other four and move on. |
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You read the notes — now try one
The table below shows the number of laptops sold by five different stores (A, B, C, D, E) in two consecutive months (January and February). Store | January | February A | 240 | 300 B | 180 | 270 C | 320 | 280 D | 200 | 250 E | 260 | 310 What is the total number of laptops sold by all five stores in February?
Tap an option to check your answer.
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Q1 · Data Interpretation · EASY
The table below shows the number of laptops sold by five different stores (A, B, C, D, E) in two consecutive months (January and February). Store | January | February A | 240 | 300 B | 180 | 270 C | 320 | 280 D | 200 | 250 E | 260 | 310 What is the total number of laptops sold by all five stores in February?
Q2 · Data Interpretation · MEDIUM
The bar graph below shows the production (in thousand tonnes) of wheat by six states (P, Q, R, S, T, U) in the year 2022. P: 45 thousand tonnes Q: 60 thousand tonnes R: 35 thousand tonnes S: 50 thousand tonnes T: 40 thousand tonnes U: 55 thousand tonnes The production of wheat by state Q is what percent more than the production by state R?
Q3 · Data Interpretation · MEDIUM
A pie chart shows the distribution of a company's annual budget of Rs. 72,00,000 across five departments: Marketing, Operations, HR, R&D, and Finance. Marketing: 25% Operations: 30% HR: 15% R&D: 20% Finance: 10% What is the difference (in Rs. lakhs) between the budget allocated to Operations and the combined budget of HR and Finance?
Q4 · Data Interpretation · EASY
The line graph shows the monthly revenue (in Rs. lakhs) of a retail store over six months from January to June. January: 24 lakhs February: 28 lakhs March: 32 lakhs April: 30 lakhs May: 35 lakhs June: 38 lakhs What is the average monthly revenue (in Rs. lakhs) of the store over these six months?
Q5 · Data Interpretation · HARD
The table shows the number of employees in three departments (Sales, Accounts, IT) of a company and the percentage of females in each department. Department | Total Employees | % Females Sales | 450 | 40% Accounts | 300 | 60% IT | 600 | 25% If 20% of the male employees in the IT department are promoted, how many male employees in IT receive promotion?
Notes generated on 22 Jun 2026