Question

The table lists the top 5 nations according to the number of gold medals won in a tournament; also included are the number of silver and the bronze medals won by them. Based only on the data provided in the table, which one of the following statements is INCORRECT?

 

• A. France will occupy the third place if the list were made on the basis of the total number of medals won.
• B. The order of the top two nations will not change even if the list is made on the basis of the total number of medals won.
• C. USA and Canada together have less than 50% of the medals awarded to the nations in the above table.
• D. Canada has won twice as many total medals as Japan.

Hint:

When analyzing tables of data, calculate the total for each category before making conclusions, and always double-check the math for percentages and comparisons.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

We are given the following data for the five nations:

Step 1: Calculate the total number of medals won by each nation.
USA: \( 40 + 44 + 41 = 125 \) medals
Canada: \( 39 + 27 + 24 = 90 \) medals
Japan: \( 20 + 12 + 13 = 45 \) medals
Australia: \( 17 + 19 + 16 = 52 \) medals
France: \( 16 + 26 + 22 = 64 \) medals

Step 2: Analyzing the statements.

(A) France will occupy the third place if the list were made on the basis of the total number of medals won.
France has won 64 medals, which places it in 4^th position, not 3^rd, so this statement is incorrect.

(B) The order of the top two nations will not change even if the list is made on the basis of the total number of medals won.
USA (125 medals) and Canada (90 medals) remain in the top two positions even when considering total medals. This statement is correct.

(C) USA and Canada together have less than 50% of the medals awarded to the nations in the above table.
Total medals awarded: \( 125 + 90 + 45 + 52 + 64 = 376 \)
USA and Canada together have \( 125 + 90 = 215 \) medals.
Percentage: \( \frac{215}{376} \times 100 = 57.2\% \)
Since 57.2% is greater than 50%, this statement is incorrect.

(D) Canada has won twice as many total medals as Japan.
Canada has 90 medals, and Japan has 45 medals.
\( 90 \div 45 = 2 \), so this statement is correct.