A data set contains 5 values: 11, 13, 15, 19, and x. What is the value

Question

A data set contains 5 values: 11, 13, 15, 19, and x. What is the value of x?

1) The median of the 5 values is 15
2) The range of the data set is 8

Hatakekakashi · Answer

11 ,13, 15,19, x

statement 1 - 
11,13,15,19,x no data about X 
insufficient

statement 2 - 
range is 8

x can be any value from 11 to 19 
insufficient

combined we have

median is 15
range is 8

11 13 15 19 
x can be 16,17

hence CBD

(E) imo

ujjwal80 · Answer

The answer should be (E).

Statement 1 - The median of the 5 values is 15, which just means x will be greater than 15. Hence insufficient.
Statement 2 - The range of the data set is 8, which is true because we already have two numbers in set 11 and 19 which will give us the range 8. Hence insufficient.

Both statements combined imply that x can have any values between 16 and 19 (such as 16, 17, 18, and 19). Hence insufficient and the answer must be (E).

MathRevolution · Answer

=>
Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.

Since we have 1 variable (x) and 0 equations, D is most likely to be the answer. So, we should consider each of the conditions on their own first.

Note: if the question doesn’t include the phrase, “in increasing order”, then x could be any number. In particular, it could be greater than or less than 19.

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Condition 1):
Since the median is 15, we only know that x ≥ 15.
Condition 1) is not sufficient.

Condition 2):
Since the range of the values is 8, we have 11 ≤ x ≤ 19.
Condition 2) is not sufficient.

Conditions 1) & 2):
Both conditions 1) & 2) together yield 15 ≤ x ≤ 19. But this does not tell us the exact value of x. We do not have a unique solution.
Thus, both conditions together are not sufficient.

Therefore, E is the answer.

Answer: E

apurva908 · Answer

If option A is only correct,15 is median then also x cannot have any value other than 17. We cannot put any other no and get a median of 17.
 (11+13+15+19+x)/5=15 there is only one unknown that is x.

amanvermagmat · Answer

Hello

What you are calculating is the mean, not median. 
x can be 16 and still median will be 15. x can be 2000 and still median will be 15.

bumpbot · Answer

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A data set contains 5 values: 11, 13, 15, 19, and x. What is the value

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GMAT Data Sufficiency (DS) Questions

A data set contains 5 values: 11, 13, 15, 19, and x. What is the value

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