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

Redeem

The number line shown contains three points R, S, and T

Expert replies
by Gmat_mission » Sat Apr 27, 2019 3:04 am

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

B

C

D

E

Stats

Difficulty

Image

The number line shown contains three points R, S, and T, whose coordinates have absolute values r, s, and t, respectively. Which of the following equals the average (arithmetic mean) of the coordinates of the points R, S, and T?

A. s
B. s + t - r
C. (r - s - t)/3
D. (r + s + t)/3
E. (s + t - r)/3

[spoiler]OA=E[/spoiler]

Source: Official Guide
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by GMATGuruNY » Sun Apr 28, 2019 2:35 am
Gmat_mission wrote:Image

The number line shown contains three points R, S, and T, whose coordinates have absolute values r, s, and t, respectively. Which of the following equals the average (arithmetic mean) of the coordinates of the points R, S, and T?

A. s
B. s + t - r
C. (r - s - t)/3
D. (r + s + t)/3
E. (s + t - r)/3
Let R=-3, S=3 and T=6, implying that r=|-3|=3, s=|3|=3, and t=|6|=6.
Average of R, S, and T = (-3+3+6)/3 = 2.
The correct answer must yield 2 when r=3, s=3 and t=6.
Only E works:
(s + t - r)/3 = (3+6-3)/3 = 6/3 = 2

The correct answer is E.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Wed May 01, 2019 4:17 pm
Gmat_mission wrote:Image

The number line shown contains three points R, S, and T, whose coordinates have absolute values r, s, and t, respectively. Which of the following equals the average (arithmetic mean) of the coordinates of the points R, S, and T?

A. s
B. s + t - r
C. (r - s - t)/3
D. (r + s + t)/3
E. (s + t - r)/3

[spoiler]OA=E[/spoiler]

Source: Official Guide
We can let R, S, and T be the actual values. Thus, we want to determine the value of (R + S + T)/3. Since S and T are positive, S = s and T = t. However, since R is negative, R = -r. Thus, the average becomes:

(-r + s + t)/3

(s + t - r)/3

Answer: E

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