During which quarter was the percentage decrease in sales from the previous quarter's sales the highest?
Answer and solution
Correct answer: D
Solution
Answer: D — Q2 of 2026
1. Read the numbers on the image, not the sector angles: the equal-sized sectors are schematic, not proportional sales shares. The 2025 months Jan–Dec are 120,140,160,50,70,90,80,90,80,150,280,170.
2. The 2026 months Jan–Dec are 250,180,200,100,80,90,120,150,10,150,200,150. Missing values follow from quarter totals: May 2025=210−50−90=70; November 2025=600−150−170=280; December 2026=500−150−200=150.
3. Quarter totals: 2025=420,210,250,600 (annual 1480); 2026=630,270,280,500 (annual 1680). Q 3 2026=120+150+10=280.
Question-specific calculation:
The correct answer is D — Q 2 of 2026.
Compare each listed quarter with the immediately preceding quarter:
Q 2 of 2025: Q 1 = 420 and Q 2 = 210.
Decrease = (210 / 420) × 100 = 50%.
Q 3 of 2026: Q 2 = 270 and Q 3 = 280.
This is an increase, not a decrease.
Q 1 of 2026: previous quarter is Q 4 of 2025 = 600; Q 1 of 2026 = 630.
This is an increase, not a decrease.
Q 2 of 2026: Q 1 = 630 and Q 2 = 270.
Decrease = (360 / 630) × 100 = 57.14%.
Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.
Verification: Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.
1. Read the numbers on the image, not the sector angles: the equal-sized sectors are schematic, not proportional sales shares. The 2025 months Jan–Dec are 120,140,160,50,70,90,80,90,80,150,280,170.
2. The 2026 months Jan–Dec are 250,180,200,100,80,90,120,150,10,150,200,150. Missing values follow from quarter totals: May 2025=210−50−90=70; November 2025=600−150−170=280; December 2026=500−150−200=150.
3. Quarter totals: 2025=420,210,250,600 (annual 1480); 2026=630,270,280,500 (annual 1680). Q 3 2026=120+150+10=280.
Question-specific calculation:
The correct answer is D — Q 2 of 2026.
Compare each listed quarter with the immediately preceding quarter:
Q 2 of 2025: Q 1 = 420 and Q 2 = 210.
Decrease = (210 / 420) × 100 = 50%.
Q 3 of 2026: Q 2 = 270 and Q 3 = 280.
This is an increase, not a decrease.
Q 1 of 2026: previous quarter is Q 4 of 2025 = 600; Q 1 of 2026 = 630.
This is an increase, not a decrease.
Q 2 of 2026: Q 1 = 630 and Q 2 = 270.
Decrease = (360 / 630) × 100 = 57.14%.
Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.
G Strategy shortcut
Method: Only falling quarters can win: 2025 Q 2 falls by 1/2; 2026 Q 2 falls by 360/630=4/7>1/2. Choose Q 2 2026.Verification: Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.
G Strategy: Method: Only falling quarters can win: 2025 Q 2 falls by 1/2; 2026 Q 2 falls by 360/630=4/7>1/2. Choose Q 2 2026. Verification: Therefore, the highest percentage decrease is 57.14% in Q 2 of 2026.