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# What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in

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What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink]

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07 May 2013, 04:27
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What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 3?

(1) The first term of set R is 15.
(2) The mean of set R is 36.
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by Bunuel on 08 May 2013, 05:10, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic and edited the question.
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07 May 2013, 05:38
rochak22 wrote:
8. What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 3?
(1) The first term of set R is 15. (2) The mean of set R is 36.

1. Doesn't say anything about the how many elements are in the set. Insuff
2. This is an evenly spaced set by multiples of 3, the median and mean for an evenly spaced set are equal. Suff

As a side note, can we also assume that there are an odd number of elements because the mean = median is an integer?
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07 May 2013, 05:56
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rochak22 wrote:
8. What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 3?
(1) The first term of set R is 15. (2) The mean of set R is 36.

There are certain issues with the question. A set does not have elements in a sequence so there is no question of having Rn and R(n-1)
It needs to be something like this: Elements of a set are arranged in increasing order and it is observed that except for the first element, every element is 3 more than the previous element.

Anyway, I assume that the intent of the question is this.

In that case, notice that this is an arithmetic progression (numbers are evenly spaced).

In an AP, mean = median (since both are the middle term). Hence statement 2 alone is sufficient.
In statement 1, you need to know the total number of elements too to find the median.
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Intern Joined: 14 Jan 2011 Posts: 32 Schools: Sloan '13 GMAT Date: 08-10-2013 GPA: 3.53 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 5 [0], given: 7 Re: medians [#permalink] ### Show Tags 07 May 2013, 06:02 VeritasPrepKarishma wrote: rochak22 wrote: 8. What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 3? (1) The first term of set R is 15. (2) The mean of set R is 36. There are certain issues with the question. A set does not have elements in a sequence so there is no question of having Rn and R(n-1) It needs to be something like this: Elements of a set are arranged in increasing order and it is observed that except for the first element, every element is 3 more than the previous element. Anyway, I assume that the intent of the question is this. In that case, notice that this is an arithmetic progression (numbers are evenly spaced). In an AP, mean = median (since both are the middle term). Hence statement 2 alone is sufficient. In statement 1, you need to know the total number of elements too to find the median. VeritasPerepKarishma, is this just the definition of a set that you are referring to, can you provide a resource to look this up? I was under the impression that a set can contain a sequence. Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7187 Location: Pune, India Followers: 2171 Kudos [?]: 14047 [2] , given: 222 Re: medians [#permalink] ### Show Tags 07 May 2013, 06:09 2 This post received KUDOS Expert's post penguinman wrote: VeritasPerepKarishma, is this just the definition of a set that you are referring to, can you provide a resource to look this up? I was under the impression that a set can contain a sequence. A set is a collection of objects, not a sequence. Check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_(mathematics) _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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07 May 2013, 06:13
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
penguinman wrote:

VeritasPerepKarishma, is this just the definition of a set that you are referring to, can you provide a resource to look this up? I was under the impression that a set can contain a sequence.

A set is a collection of objects, not a sequence.

Check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_(mathematics)

Ok, but from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequence, a sequence is an ordered list of objects. So why couldn't a set contain a sequence? Isn't the OQ just saying that a set contains a sequence abiding by the equation provided above? I guess I am arguing technicalities but I just want to be clear.

Thanks!
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07 May 2013, 07:03
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
rochak22 wrote:
8. What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 3?
(1) The first term of set R is 15. (2) The mean of set R is 36.

There are certain issues with the question. A set does not have elements in a sequence so there is no question of having Rn and R(n-1)
It needs to be something like this: Elements of a set are arranged in increasing order and it is observed that except for the first element, every element is 3 more than the previous element.

Anyway, I assume that the intent of the question is this.

In that case, notice that this is an arithmetic progression (numbers are evenly spaced).

In an AP, mean = median (since both are the middle term). Hence statement 2 alone is sufficient.
In statement 1, you need to know the total number of elements too to find the median.

Nice explanations...........Thanks !!.......... karishma ,,,,,,,, but do u think that this is a 700 level question ...........
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Last edited by manishuol on 07 May 2013, 08:59, edited 1 time in total.
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07 May 2013, 08:47
penguinman wrote:

Ok, but from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequence, a sequence is an ordered list of objects. So why couldn't a set contain a sequence? Isn't the OQ just saying that a set contains a sequence abiding by the equation provided above? I guess I am arguing technicalities but I just want to be clear.

Thanks!

The question does not talk about sequences. It talks about sets. When one says 'set', you think of a group of numbers, not numbers in a particular sequence. It is confusing to someone who is reading it for the first time. You wonder about Rn and R(n-1) and what they mean. You have to guess the intent of the question. GMAT questions do not do that.
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Manager Status: Pushing Hard Affiliations: GNGO2, SSCRB Joined: 30 Sep 2012 Posts: 89 Location: India Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship GPA: 3.33 WE: Analyst (Health Care) Followers: 1 Kudos [?]: 83 [0], given: 11 Re: medians [#permalink] ### Show Tags 07 May 2013, 09:11 Quote: Nice explanations..................... karishma ,,,,,,,, but do u think that this is a 700 level question ........... Quote: No. 600-650 Thanks!! a lot for your reply Karishma ........................ _________________ If you don’t make mistakes, you’re not working hard. And Now that’s a Huge mistake. Senior Manager Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 344 Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 180 [0], given: 12 Re: medians [#permalink] ### Show Tags 07 May 2013, 11:40 8. What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 3? (1) The first term of set R is 15. (2) The mean of set R is 36. For an AP, mean= median. Hence B is sufficient. A doesn't give any idea about the number of terms and hence we cant find median. Senior Manager Joined: 15 Sep 2011 Posts: 365 Location: United States WE: Corporate Finance (Manufacturing) Followers: 6 Kudos [?]: 306 [0], given: 45 Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink] ### Show Tags 08 May 2013, 15:22 Quote: There are certain issues with the question. A set does not have elements in a sequence so there is no question of having Rn and R(n-1) It needs to be something like this: Elements of a set are arranged in increasing order and it is observed that except for the first element, every element is 3 more than the previous element. Great insight, VeritasPrepKarishma It´s similar logic on how: all squares are parallelograms, but not all parallelograms are squares. Accordingly, all sequences are sets, but not all sets are sequences (excluding sequences with no end, infinity, of course) Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7187 Location: Pune, India Followers: 2171 Kudos [?]: 14047 [0], given: 222 Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 May 2013, 08:25 mejia401 wrote: Quote: There are certain issues with the question. A set does not have elements in a sequence so there is no question of having Rn and R(n-1) It needs to be something like this: Elements of a set are arranged in increasing order and it is observed that except for the first element, every element is 3 more than the previous element. Great insight, VeritasPrepKarishma It´s similar logic on how: all squares are parallelograms, but not all parallelograms are squares. Accordingly, all sequences are sets, but not all sets are sequences (excluding sequences with no end, infinity, of course) Actually a 'set' is a collection of objects with no order. A 'sequence' is an ordered list of objects. They are two different things. The only reason I framed the question that way was to keep the original framing involving sets. _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink]

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08 Jul 2013, 05:48
B it is .

i would like to add some more to it.
if the AP is consecutive odd even odd evn,which is the case here....then the median=mean in the above case.

Suppose the AP above was r(n)=r(n-1) +4 then ans would not be B. We would require some more information

I hope you get what i am saying.
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Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink]

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Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink]

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16 Aug 2014, 08:02
VeritasPrepKarishma wrote:
rochak22 wrote:
8. What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 3?
(1) The first term of set R is 15. (2) The mean of set R is 36.

There are certain issues with the question. A set does not have elements in a sequence so there is no question of having Rn and R(n-1)
It needs to be something like this: Elements of a set are arranged in increasing order and it is observed that except for the first element, every element is 3 more than the previous element.

Anyway, I assume that the intent of the question is this.

In that case, notice that this is an arithmetic progression (numbers are evenly spaced).

In an AP, mean = median (since both are the middle term). Hence statement 2 alone is sufficient.
In statement 1, you need to know the total number of elements too to find the median.

Hi Karishma !!!

Will you please elaborate with an example how in AP or evenly spaced sequence Mean=Median --> just want to know reason or theory behind it

Regards
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Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink]

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18 Aug 2014, 02:01
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lastshot wrote:

Hi Karishma !!!

Will you please elaborate with an example how in AP or evenly spaced sequence Mean=Median --> just want to know reason or theory behind it

Regards
Last Shot

What is the mean of 43, 44, 45, 46, 47?

Arithmetic mean is the number that can represent/replace all the numbers of the sequence. Notice in this sequence, 44 is one less than 45 and 46 is one more than 45. So essentially, two 45s can replace both 44 and 46. Similarly, 43 is 2 less than 45 and 47 is 2 more than 45 so two 45s can replace both these numbers too.

The sequence is essentially 45, 45, 45, 45, 45.

Hence, the arithmetic mean of this sequence must be 45! (If you have doubts, you can calculate and find out.)

It makes sense, doesn’t it? The middle number in the sequence of consecutive positive integers will be the mean. The deviations of all numbers to the left of the middle number will balance out the deviations of all the numbers to the right of the middle number.

Once again, what is the mean of 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198?

It is 195 since it is the middle number!

Ok, what about 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197? What is the mean in this case? There is no middle number here since there are 6 numbers. The mean here will be the middle of the two middle numbers which is 194.5 (the middle of the third and the fourth number). It doesn’t matter that 194.5 is not a part of this list. If you think about it, arithmetic mean of some numbers needn’t be one of the numbers.

What about 71, 73, 75, 77, 79? What will be the mean in this case? Even though these numbers are not consecutive integers, the difference between two adjacent numbers in the list is the same (it is an arithmetic progression). So the deviations of the numbers on the left of the middle number will cancel out the deviations of the numbers on the right of the middle number (71 is 4 less than 75 and 79 is 4 more than 75. 73 is 2 less than 75 and 77 is 2 more than 75). Hence, the mean here will be 75 (just like our first example).

Just to re-inforce:

102, 106, 110 –> Mean = 106

102, 106, 110, 114 -> Mean = 108 (Middle of the second and third numbers)

Now think, what is the median? It is the middle number! Hence, in an AP, mean = median.

Check out this post for an extended discussion of the concept of deviations: http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2012/05 ... eviations/
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Manager Joined: 08 Nov 2014 Posts: 94 Location: India GPA: 3 WE: Engineering (Manufacturing) Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 15 [0], given: 90 Data sufficiency [#permalink] ### Show Tags 15 Jan 2015, 08:52 What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 5? (1) The first term of set R is 10 . (2) The mean of set R is 35. _________________ "Arise, Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached" Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 37131 Followers: 7261 Kudos [?]: 96706 [0], given: 10777 Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink] ### Show Tags 15 Jan 2015, 09:00 veerdonjuan wrote: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in the set, Rn = Rn–1 + 5? (1) The first term of set R is 10 . (2) The mean of set R is 35. Merging topics. Please read carefully and follow: rules-for-posting-please-read-this-before-posting-133935.html Pay attention to rules 1, 2, and 3! Thank you. _________________ Manager Joined: 17 Dec 2013 Posts: 60 GMAT Date: 01-08-2015 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 25 [0], given: 35 Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink] ### Show Tags 07 Feb 2015, 05:15 Hello guys! One question.Can a set start with a negative number? Because: If the set starts with -3 we get for the mean 36 and the median is 34,5 1 -3 2 0 3 3 4 6 5 9 6 12 7 15 8 18 9 21 10 24 11 27 12 30 13 33 14 36 15 39 16 42 17 45 18 48 19 51 20 54 21 57 22 60 23 63 24 66 25 69 26 72 27 75 thanks in advance! EMPOWERgmat Instructor Status: GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat Joined: 19 Dec 2014 Posts: 8586 Location: United States (CA) GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49 GRE 1: 340 Q170 V170 Followers: 400 Kudos [?]: 2564 [0], given: 166 Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in [#permalink] ### Show Tags 07 Feb 2015, 11:13 Hi eddyki, The answer to your immediate question is YES - a sequence CAN start with a negative term. HOWEVER, you have made a mistake with your example: Your group of numbers includes 27 terms, so the MEDIAN is the 14th term (NOT the average of the 13th and 14th terms). Here, the mean AND the median are both 36. GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich _________________ # Rich Cohen Co-Founder & GMAT Assassin # Special Offer: Save$75 + GMAT Club Tests

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Re: What is the median value of the set R, if for every term in   [#permalink] 07 Feb 2015, 11:13

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