Statistics

Integer ‘p’ is the most occurring integer of Set X which consists of only integers. What is the difference between M, median of the integers, and ‘p’?
(1) The arithmetic mean of the integers is ‘p’
(2) Difference between any two integers in set X is less than three
I think the answer should be A
if we take integers in a AP then
Mean = (F+L)/2 which means F+L = 2p hence F=L=p
if numbers are not in any particular order then if p is a mean and it is most occuring won’t it imply that Median is p which means the difference is zero
Intermediate Asked on July 21, 2017 in Data Sufficiency.
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1 Answer(s)

Hi Sabicha,

Slightly tricky question.

But here , definitely statement I cannot be sufficient.

Not necessarily statement I always means that average should be equal to median.

Lets say,

Set X = -6, 0,0, 1,2,3

here in this case mean = mode but not necessarily the median.

here the difference between median and mode is 0.5.

But as you mentioned, it could be equal as well.

Say, 2,2,2,2,2

here the difference between median and mode is 0.

So, statement I is insufficient.

Also, statement II is insufficient obviously, because not enough information.

Difference between any two integers is less than 3 means,

we can take,

like

Set X = 2,3,3,4, here median = mode. So difference is zero.

Set X = 2,3,4,4, here median not equal to mode. So difference is 0.5

But together it is sufficient,

Since the range is less then 3 and mean is equal to the mode, only way to pick the set is either symmetrical from mean or all the elements are same.

for example,

-1,0,0,1 so here mean is equal to the median which is in turn equal to mode. So difference is 0.

2,2,2,2,2 – we could have all elements same as well. So mean = median = mode.

So answer has to be C.

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

Expert Answered on July 26, 2017.
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