Question

In which year is the production the minimum ?

• A. 2012 and 2014
• B. 2015
• C. 2016
• D. 2013 and 2015

Hint:

Always add across all four categories to find yearly totals before comparing.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Total production each year 

2011: \( 300+250+150+200 = 900 \). 
2012: \( 350+150+50+250 = 800 \). 
2013: \( 300+400+200+100 = 1000 \). 
2014: \( 350+100+150+200 = 800 \). 
2015: \( 300+150+250+350 = 1050 \). 
2016: \( 400+300+350+250 = 1300 \). 

Step 2: Find minimum Minimum total = 800 (in 2012 and 2014). \[ \boxed{2012 \text{ and } 2014} \]

Answer 2

Rather than computing all six yearly totals and then scanning for the smallest, the minimum can be tracked as a running comparison while going through the years in order.

Computing totals sequentially and tracking the minimum.
2011: \(300+250+150+200=900\) — current minimum: 900 (2011).
2012: \(350+150+50+250=800\) — new minimum: 800 (2012), replacing 2011.
2013: \(300+400+200+100=1000\) — no change, minimum stays 800 (2012).
2014: \(350+100+150+200=800\) — ties the current minimum; now tied between 2012 and 2014.
2015: \(300+150+250+350=1050\) — no change.
2016: \(400+300+350+250=1300\) — no change.

1. Option "2012 and 2014": Matches — the running minimum ends tied at 800 between exactly these two years.
2. Option "2015": Ruled out — 2015's total of 1050 is well above the running minimum of 800.
3. Option "2016": Ruled out — 2016's total of 1300 is the highest of all six years, not the lowest.
4. Option "2013 and 2015": Ruled out — both of these years have totals (1000 and 1050) higher than the tracked minimum of 800.

Tracking the minimum year by year confirms the tie between 2012 and 2014 without needing to revisit all six totals at the end.

So the correct answer is 2012 and 2014.