PS - Integers mean, median

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by Anurag@Gurome » Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:45 pm
karthikpandian19 wrote:The average of three positive integers is 44 and the median is 42. What is the least possible value of the greatest of the three numbers?

A) 6
B) 42
C) 48
D) 89
E) 128
Let the three integers in increasing order be x, y, and z. Then we have to find the least possible value of z.
Then, (x + y + z)/3 = 44
Median is 42 implies y = 42
x + 42 + z = 132
x + z = 90
For z to have the smallest possible value, x should have the greatest possible value.
Now median is 42, so maximum value of x = 42
Hence, z = 90 - 42 = 48

The correct answer is C.
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by MakeUrTimeCount » Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:04 am
As median is 42 so sequence should be x,42,y
As Mean is 44 so here :
where x <= 42 < y

Minimum number greater than 42 in options is 48.
Ans : C

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by ranvijay87 » Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:24 pm
i get x + z = 90
but if x is the greatest no
we can assume z =1
=> z = 89.
Plz explain.

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by karthikpandian19 » Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:36 am
@ranvijay87


The question asks for "What is the least possible value of the greatest of the three numbers"
The answer that you had mentioned is "what is the Greatest of the numbers"

The least possible value for the greatest number.....is...now you can refer the answer
ranvijay87 wrote:i get x + z = 90
but if x is the greatest no
we can assume z =1
=> z = 89.
Plz explain.