If the average of four numbers is 35, how many of the numbers are less

Target question: How many of the numbers are less than 35?

Given: The average of four numbers is 35
All this tells us is that the SUM of the 4 numbers is 140 (since 140/4 = 35)
Given the limited amount of information, it's likely that the correct answer is C or E

Statement 1: None of the numbers are exactly 35
There are many sets of 4 numbers y that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
Case a: The numbers are {34, 34, 36, 36}. In this case, the answer to the target question is 2 numbers are less than 35
Case b: The numbers are {0, 0, 0, 140}. In this case, the answer to the target question is 3 numbers are less than 35
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: Two of the numbers are exactly 33
There are many sets of 4 numbers y that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
Case a: The numbers are {33, 33, 37, 37}. In this case, the answer to the target question is 2 numbers are less than 35
Case b: The numbers are {0, 33, 33, 74}. In this case, the answer to the target question is 3 numbers are less than 35
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined
IMPORTANT: Notice that the cases I created for statement 2 ALSO satisfy statement 1.
So, the same counter-examples will satisfy the two statements COMBINED.
In other words,
Case a: The numbers are {33, 33, 37, 37}. In this case, the answer to the target question is 2 numbers are less than 35
Case b: The numbers are {0, 33, 33, 74}. In this case, the answer to the target question is 3 numbers are less than 35
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent

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