Study the given table and answer the question that follows.

The table presents the total number of new life policies (in thousands) sold by different bank branches over the years.

	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Branch A	53	34	54	54	76
Branch B	23	57	65	25	45
Branch C	54	54	56	76	34
Branch D	26	25	45	65	48
Branch E	64	76	76	92	90
Branch F	35	45	56	45	76
Branch G	62	52	45	65	45
Branch H	55	13	76	92	34

 

Which pair of branches have recorded lowest number of policy sales in these years taken together?

Given: 

Concept used:

Count the policies of different years of each branches. check the above given condition. the pairs of branches have least count will be the .

Calculation: 

Total number of policies of branch A = 53 + 34 + 54 + 54 + 76 = 271

Total number of policies of branch B = 23 + 57 + 65 + 25 + 45 = 215

Total number of policies of branch C = 54 + 54 + 56 + 76 + 34 = 274

Total number of policies of branch D = 26 + 25 + 45 + 65 + 48 = 209

Total number of policies of branch E = 64 + 76 + 76 + 92 + 90 = 398

Total number of policies of branch F = 35 + 45 + 56 + 45 + 76 = 257

Total number of policies of branch G = 62 + 52 +45 + 65 + 45 = 269

Total number of policies of branch H = 55 + 13 + 76 + 92 + 34 = 270

Now counting the policies of pair branches given in options,

Option 1 :

Total number of policy sales Branch C and Branch D = 274 + 209 = 483

Option 2:

Total number of policy sales Branch A and Branch E = 271 + 398 = 669

Option 3:

Total number of policy sales Branch B and Branch D = 215 + 209 = 424

Option 4:

Total number of policy sales Branch E and Branch F = 398 + 257 = 655

Here, 'Branch B and Branch D' pair of branches have recorded lowest number of policy sales in these years taken together.

Hence, 'Option 3' is correct.