The line graph illustrates the annual expenditure of a particular hotel on three categories – housekeeping, food, and maintenance – over the course of 2009, measured in US dollars.
Overall, food accounted for the highest proportion of spending throughout the year, despite a noticeable mid-year decline. In contrast, housekeeping costs fluctuated considerably and experienced the sharpest drop, while maintenance expenditure remained relatively stable with only minor variations.
At the beginning of the year, spending on food stood at approximately $10,000 in January, before gradually declining to around $8,000 by May. It then fell sharply to about $6,000 in June and July. However, a steady recovery followed, with expenditure rising again to reach its initial peak of $10,000 by December.
Housekeeping expenses started at roughly $7,000 in the first quarter and remained unchanged until March. Thereafter, they declined steadily, reaching a low of around $3,000 in June and July. From August onwards, costs increased gradually and then rose sharply in the final two months, ending the year at approximately $7,000.
Maintenance spending was the lowest overall, beginning at $5,000 in January, dipping slightly to $4,000 mid-year, and eventually returning to $5,000 by December.