BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑Thu Nov 05, 2020 8:01 am
What is the median of the nine consecutive even integers in a certain list?
(1) The median of the integers in the list is greater than 0.
(2) Of the integers in the list, the sum of the least of the negative integers and the least of the positive integers is –4.
Answer:
B
Source: Official guide
Target question: What is the median of the nine consecutive even integers in a certain list?
Statement 1: The median of the integers in the list is greater than 0.
There are several scenarios that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
Case a: The numbers are {0,2,4,6,
8,10,12,14,16}. In this case, the answer to the target question is
the median is 8
Case b:The numbers are {2,4,6,8,
10,12,14,16,18}. In this case, the answer to the target question is
the median is 10
Since we cannot answer the
target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: Of the integers in the list, the sum of the least of the negative integers and the least of the positive integers is –4.
Useful property: In a set of equally-spaced numbers, mean = mode = (smallest value + biggest value)/2
Statement 2 tells us that smallest value + biggest value =
-4
So, we get: (smallest value + biggest value)/2 = (
-4)/2 = -2
The answer to the target question is
the median is -2
Since we can answer the
target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
