Which 3-month period has the highest total?

Which 3-month period has the highest total?

• A. Apr-Jun
• B. Jan-Mar
• C. Feb-Apr
• D. Mar-May

Answer: (A)

Comparing totals of consecutive three-month blocks is all about which three-month span accumulates the most. If values rise through spring into early summer, the period spanning April, May, and June will have the largest sum because it includes the higher months late in the season. To verify, add April, May, and June and compare with the sums for January–March, February–April, and March–May; the April–June total will come out the greatest when the data show a spring-to-summer increase. The other windows either miss the higher late-spring months or include earlier months that tend to be lower, so their totals are smaller.

Comparing totals of consecutive three-month blocks is all about which three-month span accumulates the most. If values rise through spring into early summer, the period spanning April, May, and June will have the largest sum because it includes the higher months late in the season. To verify, add April, May, and June and compare with the sums for January–March, February–April, and March–May; the April–June total will come out the greatest when the data show a spring-to-summer increase. The other windows either miss the higher late-spring months or include earlier months that tend to be lower, so their totals are smaller.