Directions for the following 3 (three) items: The following three items are based on the graph given below which shows imports of three different types of steel over a period of six months of a year. Study the graph and answer the three items that follow.
The figures in the brackets indicate the average cost per ton over six months period.
| Month | Coil ($ 320) | Sheet ($ 256) | Scrap ($ 175) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30 | 40 | 32 |
| February | 31 | 37 | 34 |
| March | 33 | 36 | 32 |
| April | 34 | 36 | 31 |
| May | 36 | 34 | 32 |
| June | 38 | 34 | 32 |
What was the approximate total value (in $) of sheet steel imported over the six months period?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) 55,550
Sheet imports over the six months total 217 thousand tons; at the average $256 a ton that is 55,552 — nearest to 55,550. Because the tonnage is in thousands, the value is in thousands of dollars too.
- Sheet imports: 40 + 37 + 36 + 36 + 34 + 34 = 217 thousand tons.
- Value = 217 × 256 = 55,552 (thousand $), using the average cost of $256 per ton.
- Nearest option: 55,550.
- Check: 217 × 256 is close to 220 × 250 = 55,000, which rules out 45,555, 50,555 and 65,750.
Remember · Total value = total quantity × average price; keep the units (here thousands) in mind and round to eliminate far-off options.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·