Study the given bar-graph and answer the question that follows. The bar-graph shows the production (in lakh) of kitchen appliances manufactured by three companies A, B, and C over a period of six years from 2012 to 2017.

In which year was the percentage of rise / fall in production from the previous year the maximum for company C?

The correct option is 2016.

From the given bar-graph, let us note down the production (in lakh) of kitchen appliances by Company C (represented by the grey bars) for each year from 2012 to 2017:

• 2012: 70 lakh
• 2013: 90 lakh
• 2014: 120 lakh
• 2015: 80 lakh
• 2016: 110 lakh
• 2017: 140 lakh

Now, let us calculate the percentage increase or decrease in production from the previous year for Company C for the given options:

1. For 2013 (from 2012 to 2013):
Production increased from 70 to 90.
Change = 90 - 70 = 20
Percentage rise = $\frac{20}{70}\times 100$ = $\frac{200}{7}\%$ ≈ 28.57%

2. For 2015 (from 2014 to 2015):
Production fell from 120 to 80.
Change = 120 - 80 = 40
Percentage fall = $\frac{40}{120}\times 100$ = $\frac{100}{3}\%$ ≈ 33.33%

3. For 2016 (from 2015 to 2016):
Production increased from 80 to 110.
Change = 110 - 80 = 30
Percentage rise = $\frac{30}{80}\times 100$ = $\frac{300}{8}\%$ = 37.5%

4. For 2017 (from 2016 to 2017):
Production increased from 110 to 140.
Change = 140 - 110 = 30
Percentage rise = $\frac{30}{110}\times 100$ = $\frac{300}{11}\%$ ≈ 27.27%

Comparing the percentage rise/fall for all these years:
• 2013: 28.57%
• 2015: 33.33%
• 2016: 37.5%
• 2017: 27.27%

Thus, the percentage rise or fall in production from the previous year was the maximum in 2016.