Question

What was the total number of engineering students in 1989–90?

• A. 28500
• B. 4400
• C. 4200
• D. 42000

Hint:

Always check whether the data is in hundreds, thousands, or actual count before adding values from a bar chart.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

From the bar chart for 1989–90 (values are in hundreds):
Private Engg. College = $180$ (hundreds) = $18000$ students
Govt. Engg. College = $120$ (hundreds) = $12000$ students
Regional Engg. College = $80$ (hundreds) = $8000$ students
IITs = $40$ (hundreds) = $4000$ students
Now, total = $18000 + 12000 + 8000 + 4000$
Total = $42000$ students
Here, we must notice that the given options have smaller numbers — the question likely intends the number in hundreds, not actual students.
In hundreds: $42000 \div 100 = 420$. This does not match options, so they are likely listing actual numbers, making $42000$ the correct direct value. However, none match except (D) 42000. On rechecking, option (A) 28500 does not match the sum, so the correct total is $42000$, meaning option (D) fits. Correcting interpretation: Based on raw sum, $42000$ is correct.
Checking incorrect options:
(A) 28500 — far smaller than total computed.
(B) 4400 — incorrect, possibly confusing hundreds with actual count.
(C) 4200 — also incorrect, likely a misread of hundreds unit.
\(\boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (D) 42000}}\)