Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Official GMAT Test Question - Arithmetic

Expert replies
by sparkles3144 » Tue Apr 30, 2013 3:26 pm
Which of the following procedures is always equivalent to adding 5 given numbers and then dividing the sum by 5?

I. Multiplying the 5 numbers and then finding the 5 th root of the product.
II. Adding the 5 numbers, doubling the sum, and then moving the decimal point one place to the left.
III. Ordering the 5 numbers numerically and then selecting the middle number.

(A) None
(B) I only
(C) II only
(D) III only
(E) I and III

I am really lost.
Can someone please help me?

Thanks!
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by srcc25anu » Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:56 pm
Adding 5 numbers and dividing the sum by 5:
Case 1: If numbers are {1,2,3,4,5} then sum = 15 and result = 15/5 = 3
Case 2: If numbers are {2,4,4,10,15} then sum = 35 and result = 35/5 = 7

ST1: Multiplying the 5 numbers and then finding the 5 th root of the product.
Case 1: Product of 5 nos = 120 and 5th root is NOT EQUAL to 3 (Not TRUE)
Caes 2: Product of 5 nos = 2^6 * 3 * 5^2 and 5th root is NOT EQUAL to 7 (Not TRUE)
NOT TRUE

St2: Adding the 5 numbers, doubling the sum, and then moving the decimal point one place to the left.
Case 1: Sum of 5 nos = 15, Mult by 2 = 30 and taking decimal 1 place to the left = 3 (True)
Case 2: Sum of 5 nos = 35, Mult by 2 = 70 and taking decimal 1 place to the left = 7 (True)
TRUE

ST3: Ordering the 5 numbers numerically and then selecting the middle number.
Case 1: Numerically ordering 5 nos = {1,2,3,4,5}, middle number = 3 (TRUE)
Case 2: Numerically ordering 5 nos = {2,4,4,10,15}, middle number = 4 (NOT TRUE)
Not True

Hence only statement 2 is always TRUE.
Ans C
Join the discussion

by Ankur87 » Wed May 01, 2013 10:33 am
Ans:
take any 5 numbers :
1,3,4,5,6
Adding them : 1+3+4+5+6 = 19
19/5 = 3.8
A)incorrect.
B)
sum = 19
19*2 = 38 shifting decimal to left gives 3.8 which is equal to 19/5 i.e. 3.8
C)incorrect as it gives 4 as middle term.
sparkles3144 wrote:Which of the following procedures is always equivalent to adding 5 given numbers and then dividing the sum by 5?

I. Multiplying the 5 numbers and then finding the 5 th root of the product.
II. Adding the 5 numbers, doubling the sum, and then moving the decimal point one place to the left.
III. Ordering the 5 numbers numerically and then selecting the middle number.

(A) None
(B) I only
(C) II only
(D) III only
(E) I and III

I am really lost.
Can someone please help me?

Thanks!
Join the discussion

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed May 01, 2013 11:39 am
sparkles3144 wrote:Which of the following procedures is always equivalent to adding 5 given numbers and then dividing the sum by 5?

I. Multiplying the 5 numbers and then finding the 5 th root of the product.
II. Adding the 5 numbers, doubling the sum, and then moving the decimal point one place to the left.
III. Ordering the 5 numbers numerically and then selecting the middle number.

(A) None
(B) I only
(C) II only
(D) III only
(E) I and III

I am really lost.
Can someone please help me?

Thanks!
Testing numbers is fine up to a point, in that it can help us rule out certain answer choices.
To be 100% certain, we need a more algebraic approach.

Let the five numbers be a, b, c, d and e.

We're looking for procedures equivalent to (a+b+c+d+e)/5

I. Multiplying the 5 numbers and then finding the 5th root of the product.
This is the same as 5throot(abcde) or (abcde)^(1/5)
(abcde)^(1/5) is NOT equivalent to (a+b+c+d+e)/5
Eliminate I

II. Adding the 5 numbers, doubling the sum, and then moving the decimal point one place to the left.
First, moving the decimal point one place to the left is the same as dividing by 10.
For example, 56.7/10 = 5.67
So, the procedure is the same as adding the 5 numbers, doubling the sum, and dividing by 10.
Using our numbers, we get 2(a+b+c+d+e)/10 = (a+b+c+d+e)/5
Perfect.
Keep II

VERY IMPORTANT: At this point, we need not check statement III, since there is no answer choice that says statements II and III both work.

Answer: C

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion