Source: Magoosh
If the average (arithmetic mean) of four different positive integers is greater than 3 and less than 4, what is the range of the four numbers?
(1) One number is greater than 7
(2) The median of the four numbers is 2.5
OA is E
range of the four numbers
This topic has expert replies
- conquistador
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 266
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2014 4:00 am
- Thanked: 4 times
- Followed by:1 members
- DavidG@VeritasPrep
- 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
We know: average * # terms = sumIf the average (arithmetic mean) of four different positive integers is greater than 3 and less than 4, what is the range of the four numbers?
(1) One number is greater than 7
(2) The median of the four numbers is 2.5
If we have four terms, and the average is between 3 and 4, then the sum will be between 3*4 and 4*4, or between 12 and 16. So that leaves us with possible sums of 13, 14, and 15.
1) One number is greater than 7.
Let's build some sets
Set One: 1, 2, 3, 8; (Sum is 14, so it satisfies the initial condition.) Range = 8 - 1 = 7
Set Two: 1, 2, 3, 9; (Sum is 15, so it satisfies the initial condition.) Range = 9 - 1 = 8
Different Results, so Not Sufficient
2) Median = 2.5; Always check the sets you've already used for S1 to see if they'll work again for S2. Both will, because (2+3)/2 = 2.5.
Set One: 1, 2, 3, 8; Range = 8 - 1 = 7
Set Two: 1, 2, 3, 9; Range = 9 - 1 = 8
Again, not sufficient.
No reason we can't use those same two sets when testing together as well - clearly they'll satisfy both statements.
Set One: 1, 2, 3, 8; Range = 8 - 1 = 7
Set Two: 1, 2, 3, 9; Range = 9 - 1 = 8
Together: not sufficient.
Answer is E