Okay Bahgdad Bob.  ;)    The inevitability of the PS3 passing the 360 is a given unless the world ends in the next couple of weeks.   I don't really understand what you don't understand about the Wii being completely dead in the water and the PS3 still not at a mass market price (Particularly in developing markets) with a competitive online setup the Xbox 360 (At no charge).   It's a dream for developing countries. A dream.    The PS4 not having Backwards compatiblity only makes it more attractive to own.

It took PS3 an entire generation to potentially pass X360.
PS3 is being replaced THIS holiday.
PS3 has YOY major declines in sales even without the PS4 on the market.
PS3 has been a largely costly hardware for Sony.
PS3 will be retired in 2016 at the latest. (maybe 2015)

- The PS3 has outsold the 360 every year since what 2009?

- It is, what it is.  A close console race and one had a year head start.  The PS3 has been outselling the 360 for awhile now

 - Every system is seeing major declines in sales this late in the generation (Especially at their current prices on the eve of new consoles).

- The PS3 being costly or profitable to Sony has no personal bearing on me or anyone who doesn't own stock in the company (Irrelevant).

-  Why will the PS3 be retired in 2016 at the latest? (Maybe 2015?).  Firstly, no evidence supports that. The PS1 was on the market for 11+  years,  the PS2 almost 13.  Even if the PS3 was the SHORTEST of the three consoles it probably would last until 2017. (Remember, it essentially released in 2007.)  However, your previous reasoning actually makes it incredibly likely that the PS3 gets produced as long as it's still selling (This is when the console becomes the MOST profitable for these companies).

See chart... I'm also being very generous with the time after PS4 launches.

Your chart has no importance to anyone here.   Why would I trust your estimates over historical evidence that suggests the PS3 could potentially sell (a lot more)  consoles after it reaches more realistic obtainable prices worldwide.   What needs to be kept in mind is how much developing markets could potentially gobble up a feature packed system like the PS3 for a song and a dance, with a robust (free) online network?

Lastly, the PS3 stands a chance even in existing markets due to the PS4's lack of backwards compatibility (Don't for a second think that isn't part of the overall strategy, either). They're going to force you if you have any interest in PS3 games,  to go purchase a cheap PS3)