The monthly rainfall for the first eight months of 2008. . .

BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

This topic has expert replies

Post new topic Post Reply

Previous Topic Next Topic

M7MBA: Moderator; Posts: 2058; Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:24 am; Thanked: 1 times; Followed by:5 members

The monthly rainfall for the first eight months of 2008. . .

by M7MBA » Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:38 am

The monthly rainfall for the first eight months of 2008 in inches was 2, 4, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11. Which one of the following equals the mean monthly rainfall for the 8 months and the median of the rainfall for the 8 months, respectively?

(A) 6.5, 6

(B) 6, 7.5

(C) 7, 8

(D) 8, 9

(E) 8.5, 9.5

The OA is A.

This kind of questions is difficult for me. Experts, can you clarify this PS question for me? Thanks.

Quote

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:38 am

EconomistGMATTutor: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 555; Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 4:18 pm; Thanked: 180 times; Followed by:12 members

by EconomistGMATTutor » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:24 am

The monthly rainfall for the first eight months of 2008 in inches was 2, 4, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11. Which one of the following equals the mean monthly rainfall for the 8 months and the median of the rainfall for the 8 months, respectively?

(A) 6.5, 6

(B) 6, 7.5

(C) 7, 8

(D) 8, 9

(E) 8.5, 9.5

The OA is A.

This kind of questions is difficult for me. Experts, can you clarify this PS question for me? Thanks.

Hi M7MBA,
Let's take a look at your question.

The monthly rainfall for the first eight months of 2008 in inches was 2, 4, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11.
$$Mean=\frac{\text{Sum of Quantities}}{\text{Number of Quantities}}$$
$$Mean=\frac{2+4+4+5+7+9+10+11}{8}$$
$$Mean=\frac{52}{8}=6.5$$

The data is already in ascending order, so we can find the median.
2, 4, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
There are a total of 8 values, therefore, Median is the average of the middle two values 5 and 7.
$$Median=\frac{5+7}{2}=\frac{12}{2}=6$$

Therefore, Option A is correct.

Hope it helps.
I am available if you'd like any followup.

GMAT Prep From The Economist
We offer 70+ point score improvement money back guarantee.
Our average student improves 98 points.

Quote

GMAT/MBA Expert

Scott@TargetTestPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 8086; Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 43 times; Followed by:29 members

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:22 am

M7MBA wrote:The monthly rainfall for the first eight months of 2008 in inches was 2, 4, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11. Which one of the following equals the mean monthly rainfall for the 8 months and the median of the rainfall for the 8 months, respectively?

(A) 6.5, 6

(B) 6, 7.5

(C) 7, 8

(D) 8, 9

(E) 8.5, 9.5

The OA is A.

This kind of questions is difficult for me. Experts, can you clarify this PS question for me? Thanks.

Since the median is easier to calculate than the mean, let's calculate the median first. Recall that we list the data values in ascending order, and the median is the middle value. In this case, since there is no single value in the middle, the median is the average of the two middle values:

Median = (5 + 7)/2 = 6

Since only choice A has 6 as the median, A is the correct answer.

Answer: A

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]