Hi,
The median is (b+c)/2.
Let us consider each of the options.
A. The median could be (a+c)/2 if a = b.
B. It is (b+c)/2
C. It could be (a+d)/2 if a=b and c=d
d. It could be (b+d)/2 if c=d
E. It cannot be (c+d)/2 as b can never be equal to d.
Is it E?
Thanks. Hope it helps.
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IMO [spoiler](E)[/spoiler]
The median is the middle number. In this case, because we got 4 numbers, there isn't an exact middle number so we must take the two middle numbers and divide by 2.
(A) (a+c)/2 -> a could be equal to b, so this could equal (b+c)/2
(B) (b+c)/2 -> this is the median
(C) (a+d)/2 -> a could be equal to b and d could be equal to c, so this could equal (b+c)/2
(D) (b+d)/2 -> d could be equal to c, so this could equal (b+c)/2
(E) (c+d)/2 -> this can't be equal to (b+c)/2
The median is the middle number. In this case, because we got 4 numbers, there isn't an exact middle number so we must take the two middle numbers and divide by 2.
(A) (a+c)/2 -> a could be equal to b, so this could equal (b+c)/2
(B) (b+c)/2 -> this is the median
(C) (a+d)/2 -> a could be equal to b and d could be equal to c, so this could equal (b+c)/2
(D) (b+d)/2 -> d could be equal to c, so this could equal (b+c)/2
(E) (c+d)/2 -> this can't be equal to (b+c)/2
koby_gen wrote:Which of the following CANNOT be the median of the four positive integers a, b, c and d where a ≤ b < c ≤ d
(A) (a+c)/2
(B) (b+c)/2
(C) (a+d)/2
(D) (b+d)/2
(E) (c+d)/2
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