BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2020 9:09 am

Set K consists of a finite number of consecutive odd integers. If x is the smallest number in K and y is the greatest, then y - x =

(1) The average (arithmetic mean) of set K is –36.
(2) There are 8 numbers in set K.

Answer: B
Source: Magoosh

Let's take each statement one by one.

(1) The average (arithmetic mean) of set K is –36.

Case 1: Say there are two consecutive odd integers: –35 and –37, ensuring average (arithmetic mean) of set K = –36.
Case 2: Say there are four consecutive odd integers: –33, –35, –37 and –39, ensuring average (arithmetic mean) of set K = –36.

No unite value for the number of integers. Insufficient

(2) There are 8 numbers in set K.

Given that there are 8 numbers in set K, the integers are x, (x + 2), (x + 4), (x + 6), (x + 8), (x + 10), (x + 12), and (x + 14).

Thus, y = x + 14

So, w get y – x = x + 14 – x = 14. Suffciient.

The correct answer: B

Hope this helps!

-Jay
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BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 05, 2020 9:09 am

Set K consists of a finite number of consecutive odd integers. If x is the smallest number in K and y is the greatest, then y - x =

(1) The average (arithmetic mean) of set K is –36.
(2) There are 8 numbers in set K.

Answer: B
Source: Magoosh

Target question: What is the value of y - x?

Given: Set K consists of a finite number of consecutive odd integers

Statement 1: The average (arithmetic mean) of set K is –36
There's a nice rule that says, "In a set where the numbers are equally spaced, the mean will equal the median."
For example, in each of the following sets, the mean and median are equal:
{7, 9, 11, 13, 15}
{-1, 4, 9, 14}
{3, 4, 5, 6}

Set K consists of consecutive odd integers, so the values are EQUALLY SPACED.
Since the mean of set K is –36, we know that the MEDIAN is -36 as well.
HOWEVER, we don't know the number of elements in set K.
So, consider these two possible sets that yield conflicting answers to the target question:
Case a: set K = {-37, -35}, so the average is -36. In this case y - x = -35 - (-37) = 2
Case b: set K = {-39, -37, -35, -33}, so the average is -36. In this case y - x = -33 - (-39) = 6
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: There are 8 numbers in set K.
We already know that the numbers are consecutive ODD integers.
This means that each number in the set is 2 GREATER than the one before it.
So, if we let x = the smallest (1st) value in set K
Then x + 2 = the 2nd value in set K
And x + 4 = the 3rd value in set K
And x + 6 = the 4th value in set K
And x + 8 = the 5th value in set K
And x + 10 = the 6th value in set K
And x + 12 = the 7th value in set K
And x + 14 = the 8th value in set K
In other words, x + 14 = y, the largest value in set K

So, y - x = (x + 14) - x = 14
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer = B

Cheers,
Brent