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MathRevolution
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MathRevolution
[Math Revolution GMAT math practice question]

What is the standard deviation of \(a, b\) and \(c\)?

\(1) a^2+b^2+c^2 = 77\)
The SD can be zero and positive for a=b=c=77/3)^1/2 and otherwise if suppose a=8,b=3 , c=2
respectively
Which is clearly insufficient

\(2) a+b+c =15\)
a=b=c=5 or otherwise will lead to diverging results

However when 1 and 2 is combined wecan figure out the SD by
a^2+b^2+c^2 -10(a+b+c) -3*25

Therefore suff hence IMO C
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To find standard deviation, we need the variance. There's a useful formula:

Variance = (Sum of squares)/n − (Mean)2

For three numbers a, b, c:
Variance = (a2 + b2 + c2)/3 − [(a + b + c)/3]2

So we need two things: the sum of squares AND the sum.

Statement 1: a2 + b2 + c2 = 77
This gives us the sum of squares, but we don't know the sum (a + b + c).
Without the mean, we cannot calculate variance.
Not sufficient

Statement 2: a + b + c = 15
This gives us the sum, so Mean = 15/3 = 5.
But we don't know the sum of squares.
Not sufficient

Both Together:
Now we have everything:
• Sum of squares: 77
• Mean: 5

Variance = 77/3 − (5)2 = 77/3 − 25 = 77/3 − 75/3 = 2/3

Standard Deviation = √(2/3)

We get one definite value.
Sufficient

Answer: C
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need to find sd of a,b,c
2. a+b+c=15 or the mean=5 ------not sufficient
1. a^2+b^2+c^2=77------- not sufficient
together
sd=[{(5-a)^2+(5-b)^2+(5-c)^2}/3]^1/2
=[{75+a^2+b^2+c^2-10(a+b+c)}/3]^1/2
=[(75+77-150)/3]^1/2=(2/3)^1/2=1.414/1.732=0.816
so sufficient C
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