Okay that makes much more sense. When you look at the graph, between year there is 4 seperate numbers of employees for each quarter of the year. If you look from the start of 2005, for example, there are four data points: 46, 30, 20 and 14. This would be looked at like so:
- Q1(2005) = 46 employees
- Q2(2005) = 30 employees
- Q3(2005) = 20 employees
- Q4(2005) = 14 employees
That's all good and simple, however we need to keep in mind the position that there quarters are falling. If we are predicting them we would not insert (1) (2) (3) and (4) as quarter numbers unless we are
predicting for 2004.
It varies from each year, so on the x-axis, 2005's quarters would fall on [5] [6] [7] and [8]when predicting.
Now from the graph you have to direct your eyes to 2012. I must point out
there is an error on the graph, after 2010 it should say 2011!! (bad writers!)
So i see where your confusion arises, it looks like 2012 begins on point 29, and even if that was wrong (supposed to be 2011) it would start at 34, making the 3rd quarter
either 32 or 37.
If the answer is 34 it makes zero logical sense. Which exam was this?
Unless of course you split 2012 in 8 different segments, leaving 2 segments per quarter I guess.
- 29 and 30 = Q1
- 31 and 32 = Q2
- 33 and 34 = Q3
- 35 and 36 = Q4
But even then you can't determine which quarter 3 would fall on.