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Let's break this down step by step.

Step 1: Find the total weight of the original 5 students.
Average = 60, so total = 5 × 60 = 300 pounds.

Step 2: Find the total weight of all 8 students after the 3 new ones join.
The new average is 60 + 5 = 65 pounds for 8 students.
Total = 8 × 65 = 520 pounds.

Step 3: Find the combined weight of the 3 new students.
520 - 300 = 220 pounds. So the 3 new students must weigh 220 pounds together.

Step 4: Minimize the lightest new student.
Here's the key insight: if 3 people must share a total of 220 pounds, and you want one person to weigh as LITTLE as possible, you need to make the other 2 weigh as MUCH as possible.

The problem tells us no student weighs more than 90 pounds. So we max out the other 2 at 90 each.

Lightest new student = 220 - 90 - 90 = 40 pounds.

Answer: B (40)

General principle: Whenever a problem asks you to minimize one value in a group with a fixed total, maximize all the other values. And whenever it asks you to maximize one value, minimize all the others. This is a classic GMAT strategy for min/max problems.
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ExpertsGlobal5
The average weight of a group of five students was 60 pounds. Three new students joined and the average weight of the group increased by five pounds. If no student weighs more than 90 pounds, what can be the minimum possible weight of the lightest of the three new students?

A. 30
B. 40
C. 50
D. 60
E. 70

B is the correct answer choice.

Video explanation:

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