is the mean even

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 510
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:24 am
Thanked: 3 times
Followed by:5 members

is the mean even

by j_shreyans » Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:52 am
For a set X containing n integers, is the mean even?

(1) n is even.

(2) All of the integers in set X are even.

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:05 am
j_shreyans wrote:For a set X containing n integers, is the mean even?

(1) n is even.
(2) All of the integers in set X are even.
Target question: Is the mean even?

Statement 1: n is even.
This statement doesn't FEEL sufficient, so I'm going to TEST some values.
There are several sets that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
Case a: the numbers are {12, 12}. Here, n is even, and the mean = 12, which is EVEN
Case b: the numbers are {10, 12}. Here, n is even, and the mean = 11, which is ODD
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Aside: For more on this idea of plugging in values when a statement doesn't feel sufficient, you can read my article: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/dat ... lug-values

Statement 2: All of the integers in set X are even.
This statement doesn't FEEL sufficient either, so I'm going to TEST some values.
There are several sets that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
Case a: the numbers are {12, 12}. Here, all of the integers are even and the mean = 12, which is EVEN
Case b: the numbers are {10, 12}. Here, all of the integers are even and the mean = 11, which is ODD
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined
Combined, we still get the same two cases:
Case a: the numbers are {12, 12}. Here n is even AND all of the integers are even. In this case, the mean = 12, which is EVEN
Case b: the numbers are {10, 12}. Here n is even AND all of the integers are even. In this case, the mean = 11, which is ODD
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer = E

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2663
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:25 am
Location: Boston, MA
Thanked: 1153 times
Followed by:128 members
GMAT Score:770

by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:06 am
For a set X containing n integers, is the mean even?

(1) n is even.

(2) All of the integers in set X are even.
Let's pick some simple numbers. For statement 1, we know n is even, so let's say n = 2, and we have two numbers in the set.
Set 1: {2, 4} mean = 3. Mean is not even, so the answer is NO
Set 2: {2, 10} mean = 6. Mean is even, so answer is YES
Not Sufficient.

Statement 2. Well, if all the integers are even, we can reuse both sets above. Not sufficient.

Together: we've already proven that we can get a YES and a NO if there are an even number of elements and every element in the set is even. So together they are not sufficient. Answer is E
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3991
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:28 am
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Thanked: 19 times
Followed by:37 members

by Max@Math Revolution » Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:35 am
In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem.

Remember equal number of variables and equations ensures a solution.

In original condition, we have many variables (n integers) because it is hard to match the number of equations so E is likely to be the answer. Let me prove. In (1) and (2), if 2,2, (2+2)/2=2 Yes, but if 2,4, (2+4)/2=3 No. Not sufficient. E is the answer.

Why E? If you know our own innovative logics to find the answer, you don't need to actually solve the problem.

www.mathrevolution.com
Regardless of your math skills, our world's first Variable Approach (DS) and IVY Approach (PS) help students dramatically reduce their time spent per question and improve accuracy. You will have 10 min. to spare before the test ends.

Legendary Member
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 8:25 pm
Thanked: 10 times

by nikhilgmat31 » Wed Aug 05, 2015 1:05 am
it is a great question. misleaded to get answer B earlier.

Great numbers picks by Brent.

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Wed Aug 05, 2015 2:12 am
j_shreyans wrote:For a set X containing n integers, is the mean even?

(1) n is even.

(2) All of the integers in set X are even.
Statements combined:
If n=2 -- implying that X contains 2 even integers -- then the integers in X can be represented as n and n + 2a, where n is an even integer and a is an integer.
Average of the 2 integers = sum/number = (n + n + 2a)/2 = (2n + 2a)/2 = n + a.
Implication:
If a is EVEN, then the average = n + a = EVEN + EVEN = EVEN, in which case the answer to the question stem is YES.
If a is ODD, then the average = n + a = EVEN + ODD = ODD, in which case the answer to the question stem is NO.
INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 3991
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2015 2:28 am
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Thanked: 19 times
Followed by:37 members

by Max@Math Revolution » Thu Aug 20, 2015 9:06 am
In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem.
Remember equal number of variables and equations ensures a solution.



In original condition, we have many variables (n integers) so E is likely to be the answer. Let me prove.


In (1) and (2), if 2,2, (2+2)/2=2 Yes, but if 2,4, (2+4)/2=3 No. Not sufficient. E is the answer.


If you know our own innovative logics to find the answer, you don't need to actually solve the problem.

www.mathrevolution.com

- The one-and-only World's First Variable Approach for DS and IVY Approach for PS that allow anyone to easily solve GMAT math questions.

- The easy-to-use solutions. Math skills are totally irrelevant. Forget conventional ways of solving math questions.

- The most effective time management for GMAT math to date allowing you to solve 37 questions with 10 minutes to spare

- Hitting a score of 45 is very easy and points and 49-51 is also doable.

- Unlimited Access to over 120 free video lessons at https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson

- Our advertising video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Fki3_2vO8