Solving the Data Interpretation Problem: Python vs. Java Colleges

The question asks us to find the difference between the total number of colleges offering Python (M) and the total number of colleges offering Java (N) across four states (A, B, C, D).

First, we need to determine the number of colleges in each state based on the total number of colleges (4000) and their percentage distribution.

Calculating Number of Colleges in Each State

• State A: 35% of 4000 = $\frac{35}{100} \times 4000 = 35 \times 40 = 1400$ Colleges
• State B: 15% of 4000 = $\frac{15}{100} \times 4000 = 15 \times 40 = 600$ Colleges
• State C: 20% of 4000 = $\frac{20}{100} \times 4000 = 20 \times 40 = 800$ Colleges
• State D: 30% of 4000 = $\frac{30}{100} \times 4000 = 30 \times 40 = 1200$ Colleges

Total Colleges = $1400 + 600 + 800 + 1200 = 4000$. This matches the given total.

Calculating Number of Colleges Offering Python in Each State

Now, we calculate the number of colleges offering Python in each state based on the percentages given in the table.

• State A (Python): 86% of 1400 = $\frac{86}{100} \times 1400 = 86 \times 14 = 1204$ Colleges
• State B (Python): 80% of 600 = $\frac{80}{100} \times 600 = 80 \times 6 = 480$ Colleges
• State C (Python): 74% of 800 = $\frac{74}{100} \times 800 = 74 \times 8 = 592$ Colleges
• State D (Python): 68% of 1200 = $\frac{68}{100} \times 1200 = 68 \times 12 = 816$ Colleges

Calculating Total Colleges Offering Python (M)

The total number of colleges offering Python (M) is the sum of Python colleges in all four states.

$M = 1204 + 480 + 592 + 816 = 3092$ Colleges

Calculating Number of Colleges Offering Java in Each State

Next, we calculate the number of colleges offering Java in each state.

• State A (Java): 74% of 1400 = $\frac{74}{100} \times 1400 = 74 \times 14 = 1036$ Colleges
• State B (Java): 92% of 600 = $\frac{92}{100} \times 600 = 92 \times 6 = 552$ Colleges
• State C (Java): 88% of 800 = $\frac{88}{100} \times 800 = 88 \times 8 = 704$ Colleges
• State D (Java): 64% of 1200 = $\frac{64}{100} \times 1200 = 64 \times 12 = 768$ Colleges

Calculating Total Colleges Offering Java (N)

The total number of colleges offering Java (N) is the sum of Java colleges in all four states.

$N = 1036 + 552 + 704 + 768 = 3060$ Colleges

Calculating M - N

Finally, we find the difference M - N.

$M - N = 3092 - 3060 = 32$

The difference between the total number of colleges offering Python and Java is 32.

Revision Table: College IT Course Data Analysis

Difference M - N = 3092 - 3060 = 32.

Additional Information on Data Interpretation

Data Interpretation questions require careful reading of tables, charts, or graphs to extract relevant information and perform calculations. Key steps often involve:

• Understanding the data source and what each row/column/section represents.
• Calculating absolute values from percentages or ratios when a total is given.
• Summing up values across different categories or groups as required by the question.
• Calculating differences, averages, ratios, or percentages based on the derived values.
• Being mindful of whether percentages refer to the total population or a sub-group.

This problem involved calculating the number of colleges in each state first, and then using that number along with the course-specific percentages to find the number of colleges offering Python and Java in each state. Finally, these state-wise numbers were summed to get the totals M and N, and their difference was calculated.