OG-17 Problem solving

Joy Shaha wrote:Q. If the range of the six numbers 4, 3, 14, 7, 10 and x is 12, what is the
difference between the greatest possible value of x and the least possible
value of x?
A) 0 B) 2 C) 12 D) 13 E) 15

If we examine the KNOWN values in ascending order, we have {3, 4, 7, 10, 14}
These numbers have a range of 11 (since 14 - 3 = 11)

In order the set to have a range of 12, there are two possible values for x:

case a: x = 2, in which case the set is {2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14}
case b: x = 15, in which case the set is {3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 15}

So, the difference in x-values = 15 - 2 = 13

Answer: D

RELATED VIDEO
- Range and Standard Deviation: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat ... /video/806

Cheers,
Brent

Joy Shaha wrote:Q. If the range of the six numbers 4, 3, 14, 7, 10 and x is 12, what is the
difference between the greatest possible value of x and the least possible
value of x?

A) 0
B) 2
C) 12
D) 13
E) 15

Hi Joy,

For a better reference, I suggest that you mention question number also in the subject. There are at least three posts with the subject 'OG -17 Problem-solving.'

Let us discuss the problem now.

Let us arrange the given numbers in an ascending order: 3, 4, 7, 10, 14.

We know that the range = 12.

To get the least value of X, we must make 14 the greatest. Thus Range = 12 = 14 - Smallest number

=> Smallest number = 14 - 12 = 2 = X

To get the greatest value of X, we must make X the greatest. Thus Range = 12 = X - 3

=> Greatest number = X = 12 + 3 = 15.

So, the difference in the values of X = 15 - 2 = 13.

Answer: D

-Jay
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Another approach to this question could be...

Presently the range of 3, 4, 7, 10, and 14 is 14 - 3 = 11.

We want to increase the range by '1' (12 - 11).

This can be done in two ways:

1. Decrease '3' by '1', thus, X = 3 - 1 = 2 (Least value)

2. Increase '14' by '1', thus, X = 14 + 1 = 15 (Greatest value)

Difference in values of X = 15 - 2 = 13.

Answer: D

-Jay
_________________
Manhattan Review GMAT Prep

Locations: New York | Prague | Johannesburg | Lisbon | and many more...

Schedule your free consultation with an experienced GMAT Prep Advisor! Click here.

Hi Joy Shaha,

The general category of 'statistics' will show up on the GMAT at least a couple of times on Test Day, so it's important to know the 'math definition' of each of the statistical words - "mean", "median", "mode", "range" and "standard deviation." Sometimes you'll be asked to calculate one (or more) of those terms; sometimes you'll use information given about one of those terms to figure out something else.

Here, we're told that the RANGE of six numbers is 12. Since range is 'the difference between the largest and smallest terms', it helps to list out the numbers...

Notice how one of the numbers is a VARIABLE though; I'm going to put that at the end of the list for convenience.

3, 4, 7, 10, 14...... X

The range of the first 5 numbers is 11, so we have to make the X some number that will make the range = 12.

We COULD make X = 15... since 15 - 3 = 12

We COULD make X = 2... since 14 - 2 = 12

Now we know the greatest and least possible values of X, so the answer to the question is 15 - 2 = 13

Final Answer: D

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich