Arithmetic - Statistics: If Q is an odd number...

This topic has expert replies
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:03 am
Thanked: 1 times
If Q is an odd number and the median of Q consecutive integers is 120, what is the largest of these integers?

A) (Q-1)/2 + 120

B) Q/2 + 119

C) Q/2 + 120

D) (Q+119)/2

E) (Q+ 120)/2

OA: A

Just curios as to how you guys would solve this one. Thanks for any input.
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
Community Manager
Posts: 1060
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 6:46 am
Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Thanked: 318 times
Followed by:52 members

by neelgandham » Sat Apr 28, 2012 2:04 pm
In this scenario, Substitution is the best way of solving.
Let the value of Q be 3, then the set = (119,120,121) and the largest integer in the set = 121. Now, let us substitute the value of Q(=3) in the options.

A)(Q-1)/2 + 120 = 121 - perfect, and is the answer
B)Q/2 + 119 = 120.5
C)Q/2 + 120 = 121.5
D)(Q+119)/2 = 61
E)(Q+120)/2 = 61.5

Another approach:
You can easily eliminate three options on first look. Since Q is an odd integer.

A)(Q-1)/2 + 120 = (Odd-1)/2 + 120 = (Even/2)+120 = Integer - can be the answer
B)Q/2 + 119 - odd/2 + 119 = Not an Integer - cannot be the answer
C)Q/2 + 120 - odd/2 + 120 = Not an Integer - cannot be the answer
D)(Q+119)/2 - (odd+119)/2 = Integer - can be the answer
E)(Q+120)/2 - (odd+120)/2 = Not an Integer - cannot be the answer.

We, now, have two options to choose from. Let us substitute the value of Q = 3, the largest(and only) number is 121.
A)(Q-1)/2 + 120 = (3-1)/2 + 120 = 121
D) (Q+119)/2 = (3+119)/2 = 61. So option A is correct.
Anil Gandham
Welcome to BEATtheGMAT | Photography | Getting Started | BTG Community rules | MBA Watch
Check out GMAT Prep Now's online course at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/