BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

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.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

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

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Que: If set N consists of odd numbers of consecutive integers, starting with 1, what is the difference between...

Expert replies
by Max@Math Revolution » Sat Dec 26, 2020 11:12 pm

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

B

C

D

E

Stats

Difficulty

Que: If set N consists of odd numbers of consecutive integers, starting with 1, what is the difference between the average of the odd integers and the average of the even integers in set N?

(A) −1
(B) \(\frac{1}{2}\)
(C) 0
(D) 1
(E) 2
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

Solution: Since the set starts with an odd number (1) and has an odd number of integers, the set would end with an odd number, too.

Let’s see the set. Set N: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ..., (2n + 1)}, where n is a positive integer.

=> Number of odd terms is one more than the number of even terms.

Thus, the number of odd terms = (n + 1) and we derive a new set from set N, that is {1,3,…, 2n+1}.

Then we get the average of the odd integers = \(\frac{\left[1\ +\ 3\ +\ ......\ +\ \left(2n\ +\ 1\right)\right]}{\left(n\ +\ 1\right)}\) and since \(1\ +\ 3\ +\ ......\ +\ \left(2n\ +\ 1\right)\ =\ \left(n\ +\ 1\right)^2\), we get \(\frac{\left[1\ +\ 3\ +\ ......\ +\ \left(2n\ +\ 1\right)\right]}{\left(n\ +\ 1\right)}=\frac{\left(n\ +1\right)^2}{\left(n\ +\ 1\right)}\ =\ n\ +\ 1\)

The number of even terms = n and we derive a new set from set N, that is {2,4,…, 2n}.

Then we get the average of the even integers = \(\frac{\left(2\ +\ 4\ +\ ....\ +\ 2n\right)}{n}=\frac{2\cdot\left(1\ +\ 2\ +\ ....\ +\ n\right)}{n}\) and since \(1\ +\ 2\ +\ ........\ +\ n\ =\ \frac{n\left(n\ +\ 1\right)}{2}\), we get \(\frac{\left(2\ +\ 4\ +\ .......\ +\ 2n\right)}{n}=\frac{2\cdot\left(1\ +\ 2\ +\ .......\ +\ n\right)}{n}=\frac{n\left(n\ +\ 1\right)}{n}\ =\ n\ +1\)

Therefore, we get the difference of the average of the odd integers and the average of the even integers in set N=(n + 1) - (n + 1) = 0

Say there are only three terms in the set

S = {1, 2, 3}

=> X = \(\frac{\left(1\ +\ 3\right)}{2}=\frac{4}{2}=2\)

=> Y = 2

=> X – Y = 0

Again, say there are five terms in the set

S = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

=> X = \(\frac{\left(1\ +\ 3\ +\ 5\right)}{3}=\frac{9}{3}=3\)

=> Y = \(\frac{\left(2\ +\ 4\right)}{2}=\frac{6}{2}=3\)

=> X – Y = 0

Therefore, C is the correct answer.

Answer C
Join the discussion

Max@Math Revolution wrote:
Sat Dec 26, 2020 11:12 pm
Que: If set N consists of odd numbers of consecutive integers, starting with 1, what is the difference between the average of the odd integers and the average of the even integers in set N?

(A) −1
(B) \(\frac{1}{2}\)
(C) 0
(D) 1
(E) 2
Solution:

We can let set N be {1, 2, 3}. So the average of the odd integers is (1 + 3)/2 = 2, and the average of the even integers is 2. We see that the difference between the two averages is 0. Although we can say the correct choice must be B, let’s make sure it is the case by using another example.

If we let set N be {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, the average of the odd integers is (1 + 3 + 5)/3 = 3 and the average of the even integers is (2 + 4)/2 = 3. Again we see that the difference between the two averages is 0.

Answer: C

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage
Join the discussion