Hi, can someone please help me answer this question.
A={1,2,3,4,x,y}
B={2,3,4,5,x,y}
Is the median of set A greater than the median of set B?
(1) x=y
(2) 4 < x < y
The correct answer offered is D
However, how can x=y alone be sufficient, if:
CASE 1. x=y=1
A={1,1,1,2,3,4} Med=1.5
B={1,1,2,3,4,5} Med=2.5
Med A<Med B
CASE 2. x=y=3
A={1,2,3,3,3,4} Med=3
B={2,3,3,3,4,5} Med=3
Med A=Med B
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Median values
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Elena Plescan
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The two statements contradict each other.Elena Plescan wrote:
(1) x=y
(2) 4 < x < y
Whereas statement 1 requires that x=y, statement 2 requires that x<y.
On the GMAT, the two statements will NEVER contradict each other.
Please ignore this problem.
What is the source?
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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].
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Brent@GMATPrepNow
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As Mitch points out, the statements in a data sufficiency question will never contradict each other. This important feature can actually help us identify situations where we have made an error.
I expound on this in our free video titled "Useful Contradictions": https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... cy?id=1104
Cheers,
Brent
I expound on this in our free video titled "Useful Contradictions": https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... cy?id=1104
Cheers,
Brent
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Hi Elena Plescan,
Mitch and Brent are correct, this question would not appear on Test Day in this format. If we ignore the inconsistency though, and focus on Fact 1, you'll see that you made a small mistake.
The question asks if the median of set A is GREATER than the median of set B. This is a YES/NO question.
You can TEST VALUES (as you did with your 2 examples); remember what the question asks though...
1st example, Median of A < Median of B --> the answer to the question is NO
2nd example, Median of A = Median of B --> the answer to the question is NO
These results are CONSISTENT, meaning that Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Mitch and Brent are correct, this question would not appear on Test Day in this format. If we ignore the inconsistency though, and focus on Fact 1, you'll see that you made a small mistake.
The question asks if the median of set A is GREATER than the median of set B. This is a YES/NO question.
You can TEST VALUES (as you did with your 2 examples); remember what the question asks though...
1st example, Median of A < Median of B --> the answer to the question is NO
2nd example, Median of A = Median of B --> the answer to the question is NO
These results are CONSISTENT, meaning that Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Elena Plescan
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Thank you everybody for your answers.
Mitch, the source of this question is - https://gmat.gmu.edu/free_test/
Mitch, the source of this question is - https://gmat.gmu.edu/free_test/
