Problem Solving

BTGmoderatorDC wrote:A set of numbers has an average of 50. If the largest element is 4 greater than 3 times the smallest element, which of the following values cannot be in the set?

(A) 85
(B) 90
(C) 123
(D) 150
(E) 155

OA E

Source: Veritas Prep

The largest element is 4 greater than 3 times the smallest element
Let x = the smallest number in the set.
So, 3x + 4 = the largest number in the set.
So, the set looks something like this {x, ?, ?, . . . . ?, 3x+4}

The key to this question is that the AVERAGE = 50
Since all of the answer choices are greater than 50, there's a good likelihood that the correct answer will be the biggest number.
So, let's start by checking answer choice E

(E) 155
There are two possibilities here:
i) 155 is the biggest number in the set
ii) 155 is NOT the biggest number in the set

If 155 IS the biggest number in the set, we can use the given information to determine the smallest number in the set
That is, 3x +4 = 155
So, 3x = 152
So, x = 152/3 = 50 2/3
Hmmmm, the "smallest value" is GREATER than 50 (the average value on the set)
This is impossible; if all of the values in the set are greater than 50, the average cannot equal 50.
So, 155 CANNOT be the LARGEST number in the set (case i).

This also means that 155 CANNOT be in the set at all (case ii), because if 155 is NOT the biggest number, then the biggest number is EVEN BIGGER, which would also make it impossible for the average to be 50.

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent

BTGmoderatorDC wrote:A set of numbers has an average of 50. If the largest element is 4 greater than 3 times the smallest element, which of the following values cannot be in the set?

(A) 85
(B) 90
(C) 123
(D) 150
(E) 155

We can let the smallest element = n and the largest = 3n + 4. Since the average is 50, then the smallest element, n, must be less than 50. Since n < 50, the largest element, 3n + 4, must be less than 3(50) + 4 = 154. We see that all the numbers in the choices are less than 154 except 155. Thus, 155 can't be in the set.

Answer: E