GRE Math : Statistics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Statistics

What is the arithmetic mean (average) of the following set of numbers:

34, 26, 18, 12, 40

Possible Answers:

26

12

40

34

18

Correct answer:

26

Explanation:

If in a set of numbers, the numbers are: \dpi{100} \small x, x-b, x + b, y - a, y + a, the average is automatically \dpi{100} \small x.

 

To find the average, add up the sum of all the numbers and divide by the number of items present.

Example Question #116 : Data Analysis

What is the average (arithmetic mean) of all multiples of five from 5 to 45 inclusive?

Possible Answers:

20

28

15

25

24.4

Correct answer:

25

Explanation:

All multiples of 5 must first be added.

5 + 10 + 15 + 20 + 25 + 30 + 35 + 40 + 45 = 225

Because we added 9 terms, the product must be divided by 9.

225 / 9 = 25.

25 is the average.

Example Question #31 : Statistics

What is the average of \dpi{100} \small 2x+3,\ x-3,\ 3x-7,\ and\ 2x+11

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small x+5

\dpi{100} \small 5x-7

\dpi{100} \small 3x-2

\dpi{100} \small 2x+1

\dpi{100} \small 2x-1

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 2x+1

Explanation:

Average is the sum of all the terms divided by the number of terms. So:

  \dpi{100} \small \dpi{100} \small \frac{2x+3+ x-3+3x-7+2x+11}{4}

\dpi{100} \small =\frac{8x+4}{4} 

\dpi{100} \small =2x+1

Example Question #32 : Statistics

If the average test score of three students is 70, which of the following could a fourth student receive such that the average of all four scores is greater than 73 and less than 75? 

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 81

\dpi{100} \small 90

\dpi{100} \small 79

\dpi{100} \small 83

\dpi{100} \small 77

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 83

Explanation:

The sum of the scores of the first three students whose average was 70 is \dpi{100} \small 70\times 3=210. If the fourth student's score is \dpi{100} \small x, the new average is \dpi{100} \small \frac{210+x}{4}.

If the average needs to be between 73 and 75 then:

\dpi{100} \small 73<\frac{210+x}{4}<75

Solving for\dpi{100} \small x:

\dpi{100} \small 82<x<90

Only 83 falls in that range. 

Example Question #33 : Statistics

Jane had an arithmetic mean of 84 on the first four math tests she took this year. By the time she'd taken six tests, her arithmetic mean was 86. Assuming that 100 is the maximum number of points possible per test, what is the lowest score that Jane could have possibly received on her fifth test?

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 84

\dpi{100} \small 60

\dpi{100} \small 79

\dpi{100} \small 80

\dpi{100} \small 86

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 80

Explanation:

To achieve an average of 84 on the first four tests, Jane would have to have received a total of \dpi{100} \small 4\times 84=336 points and to achieve an average of 86 on the first six tests she received a total of 516 points. Therefore she received a total of 180 points on tests five and six. Assuming that she received 100 points on test six, the lowest she could have received on test five is \dpi{100} \small 180-100=80 points. 

Example Question #34 : Statistics

Which statement is true assuming that a represents the range, b represents the mean, c represents the median, and d represents the mode.

which sequence is correct for the number set: 8, 3, 11, 12, 3, 4, 6, 15, 1 ?

Possible Answers:

a< c< d< b

d< c< b< a

c< b< a< d

b< c< a= d

b= c< a< d

Correct answer:

d< c< b< a

Explanation:

The answer is d< c< b< a.

First organize the number set 1, 3, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15

= range = 14

b = mean = 7

= median = 6

= mode = 3

so the order is mode<median<mean<range

or d < c < b < a.

Example Question #32 : Statistics

Which statement is true assuming that a represents the range, b represents the mean, c represents the median, and d represents the mode.

Which sequence is correct for the number set: 51, 8, 51, 17, 102, 31, 20

Possible Answers:

a < b < d < c

c < b < d < a

c < a < d < b

b < d < c < a

d < c < a < b

Correct answer:

c < b < d < a

Explanation:

The answer is c < b < d < a.

When we arrange the number set we see: 8, 17, 20, 31, 51, 51, 102

a = range = 94

b = mean = 40

c = median = 31

d = mode = 51

median < mean < mode < range so c < b < d < a

Example Question #33 : Statistics

Jim got scores of 84, 78, 92, and 89 on the first four exams in his math class. What must he get on the fifth exam to have an average score of 88 for all five exams?

Possible Answers:

93

97

95

91

99

Correct answer:

97

Explanation:

Write out the average formula, with x representing the fifth score, and filling in 88 as the average score we want.

Then isolate and solve for x.

 

Example Question #37 : Statistics

If the average of  and is 70, and the average of  and  is 110, what is the value of ?

Possible Answers:

40

70

90

150

80

Correct answer:

80

Explanation:

If the average of  and  is 70, then their sum is 140.

Likewise, if the average of b and c is 110, then their sum must be 220.

Example Question #32 : Arithmetic Mean

The average of 10 test scores is 120 and the average of 30 additional scores is 100.

Quantity A: The weighted average of these scores

Quantity B: 105

Possible Answers:

The two quantities are equal

The relationship cannot be determined from the information given

Quantity A is greater

Quantity B is greater

Correct answer:

The two quantities are equal

Explanation:

The sum of the first ten scores is 1,200 and the sum of the next 30 scores is 3,000. To take the weighted average of all scores, divide the sum of all scores (4,200) by the total number of scores (40), which would equal 105.

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