Set A consists of five different numbers; set B consists of four different numbers, each of which is in set A. Is the standard deviation of set A less than the standard deviation of set B ?

(1) Set A contains five consecutive integers. A={1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and B={1, 2, 4, 5}, then SD(A)<SD(B) (since A is obtained by adding the element equal to the mean to set B) but if A={1, 2, 3, 4, 5} and B={1, 2, 3, 4}, then SD(A)>SD(B) (since B is less widespread than A). Not sufficient.

(2) The average (arithmetic mean) of set A is equal to the average (arithmetic mean) of set B. If we add to a set new element, which is equal to the mean of the original set, then the standard deviation decreases (well if the SD was not 0). We know that A is obtained by adding one element to set B. Since doing so the mean of A does not change, then we added the element which was equal to the mean, thus we decreased the standard deviation --> SD(A)<SD(B). Sufficient.

Answer: B.

Hope it's clear.
_________________

Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
_________________