A certain list of 300 test scores has an arithmetic mean of 75 and a standard deviation of d, where d is positive. Which of the following two test scores, when added to the list, must result in a list of 302 test scores with a standard deviation less than d?
(A) 75 and 80
(B) 80 and 85
(C) 70 and 75
(D) 75 and 75
(E) 70 and 80
[spoiler]OA=D[/spoiler]
Source: Veritas Prep
A certain list of 300 test scores has an arithmetic mean
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VJesus12 wrote:A certain list of 300 test scores has an arithmetic mean of 75 and a standard deviation of d, where d is positive. Which of the following two test scores, when added to the list, must result in a list of 302 test scores with a standard deviation less than d?
(A) 75 and 80
(B) 80 and 85
(C) 70 and 75
(D) 75 and 75
(E) 70 and 80
[spoiler]OA=D[/spoiler]
Source: Veritas Prep
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Since the mean is 75, we see that when we add 75 and 75 to the list the standard deviation must decrease. Note: Depending on the value of d, the other choices might or might not decrease the standard deviation.VJesus12 wrote:A certain list of 300 test scores has an arithmetic mean of 75 and a standard deviation of d, where d is positive. Which of the following two test scores, when added to the list, must result in a list of 302 test scores with a standard deviation less than d?
(A) 75 and 80
(B) 80 and 85
(C) 70 and 75
(D) 75 and 75
(E) 70 and 80
[spoiler]OA=D[/spoiler]
Source: Veritas Prep
Answer: D
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