Hi All,
While this question can be solved with Algebra, it can also be solved by TESTing THE ANSWERS.
We're given a lot of little pieces of information to work with, so we have to stay organized:
1) 5 numbers with an average of 55. This means that 5(55) = 275 is the SUM of these 5 numbers.
2) The question does NOT state that the numbers need to be distinct, so DUPLICATES ARE ALLOWED.
3) The median = mean = 55. The 3rd value of the 5 numbers MUST be 55.
4) The largest number = 2(smallest number) + 20.
The question asks us for the smallest POSSIBLE value in the list. Let's start by TESTing the smallest answer….
Answer E: 15
If the smallest number was 15, then the largest would be 50. This is NOT possible (the average and median are both 55).
Answer D: 20
If the smallest number was 20, then the largest would be 60. This is NOT possible (the sum of the other 3 values = 195; there's no way to get to a total of 195 with the 3 remaining values and the above restrictions).
Answer C: 25
If the smallest number was 25, then the largest would be 70. This IS POSSIBLE. The sum of the other 3 values would be 180 (with a 70, a 55 and another 55, we would get a total of 180).
Final Answer:
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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