ajit257
k, n, 12, 6, 17
What is the value of n in the list above?
(1) k < n
(2) The median of the numbers in the list is 10.
I thought n have numerous value here ? Can someone explain where i am going wrong
Perfect example of how simple looking statistics questions can be a little tricky.
k, n, 12, 6, 17
Stmnt 1: k < n
No idea what n is. Not sufficient.
Stmnt 2: The median of the list is 10.
Since the list has 5 numbers i.e. odd number of numbers, the median must be the middle number i.e. the 3rd number when the numbers in the list are in increasing/decreasing order. Since 10 has to be a number in the list, either k or n has to be 10. But we do not know yet whether k is 10 or n is 10. So we don't know the value of n. Not sufficient.
Using both together, we know one of k and n is 10. We also know that k < n.
If k = 10, n is 10.1/11/12/13/14......etc etc etc
But then the list becomes: 6, k(10), n, 12, 17 (whatever be the arrangement of last 3 elements). k will not be the middle number in this case and hence 10 will not be the median.
If n = 10, k < 10 so the list will look something like:
6, k, n(10), 12, 17 ... Here 10 is the median. n must be 10. Hence, both together are sufficient.