Please explain the approach
A set of 25 different integers has a median of 30 and a range of 50. What is the least possible integer that could be in this set?
(A) -8
(B) -7
(C) 0
(D) 8
(E) cannot be determined
Hi Ryan,
Just note that, this is a “COULD-BE” question. You need to find a possible least value. Do Plugging- in for MUST BE / COULD BE questions.
For these type of questions, start with the answer choices itself, when the questions says LEAST pick the least one from answer choice and work backwards.
So here least is -8,
Given range is 50.
Range = Highest – least
50 = highest – (-8)
So, highest = 42
So, lets check whether this is apt for the given question,
Question says: There are 25 different integers and median is 30.
So the median position is 13th position. So there should be 12 more elements more than median.
Yes if we have 42 as the highest value, then we have 12 different integers more than median.
So, this matches the condition.
So answer has to be A here.
Hope this helps.
