If Q is a set of consecutive integers, what is the standard deviation of Q?

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

Timer

00:00

Your Answer

A

B

C

D

E

Global Stats

BTGmoderatorLU wrote:
Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:36 am
Source:Manhattan Prep

If Q is a set of consecutive integers, what is the standard deviation of Q?

1) Set Q contains 21 terms
2) The median of set Q is 20

The OA is A
Target question: What is the standard deviation of Q?

Given: Q is a set of CONSECUTIVE integers

Statement 1: Set Q contains 21 terms.
NOTE: Standard Deviation measures dispersion (spread-apart-ness). As such, the actual values mean nothing compared to RELATIVE values.
For example, the set {1,2,3,4} has the SAME STANDARD DEVIATION as the set {6,7,8,9}

So, knowing that set Q consists of 21 CONSECUTIVE integers is SUFFICIENT.
The Standard Deviation of Q will be the same as the Standard Deviation of {1,2,3,4...20,21}

Statement 2: The median of set Q is 20.
There are several different sets that satisfy this condition.
For example, set Q could equal {19, 20, 21} or set Q could equal {18, 19, 20, 21, 22}
These two sets have DIFFERENT standard deviations.
So, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: A
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image