List S and List T each contain 5 positive integers, and for

This topic has expert replies
Moderator
Posts: 2246
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:08 pm
Followed by:2 members

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

GMAT Prep

List S and List T each contain 5 positive integers, and for each list, the average (arithmetic mean) of the integers in the list is 40. If the integers 30,40,50 are in both lists, is the standard deviation of the integers in list S greater than the standard deviation of the integers in list T?

1) The integer 25 is in list S.
2) The integer 45 is in list T.

OA C

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2621
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 3:17 am
Location: Montreal
Thanked: 1090 times
Followed by:355 members
GMAT Score:780

by Ian Stewart » Mon Mar 18, 2019 7:18 am

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

Since we know three values in List S, and we know the mean, and thus the sum, of all five values in List S, then if we're given a fourth value in list S, we can find the fifth missing value. So from Statement 1 alone, we know exactly what List S contains. Similarly, from Statement 2 alone, we know exactly what list T is. So of course using both Statements, we can answer any question about the two lists, because we know exactly what they are. But neither statement could be sufficient alone, because we need to know about the missing values in each set, and the answer is C.
For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

ianstewartgmat.com