So, they have specifically mentioned how many divisions ranked “lower” in 1980 than 1979. I did the math and only division R had lower value. (Division U has equal values). In this case the answer should be B, whereas the answer key mentions C. It looks like they have taken U into account as well even though the question specifically asks only for the divisions ranked “lower”.
It’s a ranking though. So even though the dollar contribution of U did not change, the relative contribution of U decreased from 1979 (where it was fourth ranked) to 1980 (where it was fifth rank), and hence it’s counted.
So we’re not only supposed to calculate whose contributions decreased, but also how they decreased relative to others. The question asks, divisions ranked lower.
Rank them in their contributions, in each year: (Descending order of contribution)
'79:
P,T,R,U,S,Q
'80:
P,T,S,R,U,Q
As you can see, both R. and U got ranked lower. That’s why the answer is C
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