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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean
The combined height of John and Sandy is 130 inches. Sandy, John, and Allen together have a combined height of 215 inches. Sandy and Allen have combined height of 137 inches. How tall is John?
62
75
78
69
67
78
Translate the question into a series of equations:
J + S = 130; J + S + A = 215; S + A = 137
Although there are several ways of approaching this, let us choose the path that is most direct. Given that J, S, A are all involved in the second equation, we can isolate J if we eliminate S and A - which can be done by using the data we have in the third equation. Since S + A = 137, we can rewrite J + S + A = 215 as:
J + 137 = 215.
Now, we only need to solve for J:
J = 215 - 137
J = 78 inches.
Example Question #541 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning
On a given exam, four students have an average score of 81 points. If another student takes the exam, what must he or she score in order to increase the overall average to at least 83 points?
95
86
97
84
91
91
Begin by translating the current state of affairs into an equation. We know that for four students, the average is ascertained by taking the sum of the scores (s) and dividing that by four:
s / 4 = 81; s = 324
Now, when we add the additional student, that person's score (x) will be added to the value for s. The average of this new group will be divided among five students. We must solve for the case in which the average is 83 points (thus giving us the case for the minimum score x necessary.) This yields the following equation:
(324 + x) / 5 = 83
Solve for x:
324 + x = 415; x = 91
The minimum score necessary is 91 points.
Example Question #2 : Arithmetic Mean
Find the arithmetic mean of the following series of numbers:
1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12
3.5
2
11
5
5
To find the arithmetic mean of a series of numbers, add up all of the numbers and divide by the number of numbers in the series. Adding all the numbers gives us 40 and there are 8 numbers in the series. 40/8 = 5
Example Question #542 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning
Consider the given set of numbers 70, 81, 91, 83, 88, and 55.
A new number equal to a 12% increase in the median of this set is added to the list. What percentage larger is the mean of the new list in comparison with the original?
1.71%
2.535%
1.534%
2.441%
4.44%
2.535%
Reorder the set: 55, 70, 81, 83, 88, 91
Since the set is even, we find the median by taking the average of the middle two values: (81 + 83)/2 = 82
The average of the first set = (55 + 70 + 81 + 83 + 88 + 91)/6 = 468/6 = 78
The new value to be added is 82 * 1.12 = 91.84
This means the new mean is 559.84/7 = 79.9771
The increase in mean value is 79.9771 – 78 = 1.9771
This is (1.9771/78) 100, or 2.535% larger than the original mean.
Example Question #543 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning
A group of ten candy bars has an average cost of $0.89 per candy bar. How many bars must be bought at the cost of $0.72 a piece to bring the average down to $0.80?
11.25
11
12
5
8
12
We know to begin with that for x candy bards:
x / 10 = 0.89; x = 8.90
We are trying to ascertain how many bars (y) must be added to this to amount to have an average of 0.80. This is represented:
(8.9 + 0.72y) / (10 + y) = 0.8
8.9 + 0.72y = 0.8 (10 + y)
8.9 + 0.72y = 8 + 0.8y
8.9 – 8 = 0.8y - 0.72y
0.9 = 0.08y
y = 0.9 / 0.08 = 11.25
However, since we cannot have a partial amount of candy bars, we will have to buy 12.
Example Question #2 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean
In a given translation project, three translators each took sections of a book to translate. The first translator took 15000 words, which he translated at a rate of 500 words per 20 minutes. The second translator took 200000 words, which he translated at a rate of 1250 words per half hour. The third took 10000 words, which he translated at a rate of 250 words per 15 minutes. In terms of words per hour, what was the overall average translation rate for this project?
1667 words per hour
750 words per hour
667 words per hour
2250 words per hour
1575 words per hour
2250 words per hour
To find the answer, we need to know the total words and the total number of hours involved.
The first is easy: 15000 + 200000 + 10000 = 225000 words
To ascertain the number of hours, we have to look at each translator separately. Although there are several ways to do this, let's consider it this way:
Translator 1 can translate at 500 words per 20 minutes OR 1500 words per hour.
Translator 2 can translate at 1250 words per half hour OR 2500 words per hour.
Translator 3 can translate at 250 words per 15 minutes OR 1000 words per hour.
Therefore, we know each translator took the following amount of time:
Translator 1: 15000 / 1500 = 10 hours
Translator 2: 200000 / 2500 = 80 hours
Translator 3: 10000 / 1000 = 10 hours
The total number of hours was therefore 10 + 80 + 10 = 100 hours.
The average rate was 225000 words/100 hours, or 2250 words per hour.
Example Question #544 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning
A certain function takes the value 1 with probability 1/2, 2 with probability 1/3, and 3 with probability 1/6. What is the mean value of the function?
5/3
7/3
2
8/9
3/2
5/3
To find the mean or expected value, we multiply each value by its corresponding probability and add them up. So the mean = 1(1/2) + 2(1/3) + 3(1/6) = 5/3.
Example Question #11 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean
In the number set {12, 7, 2, 14, 12, 8, 9, 6, 11} f equals the mean, g equals the median, h equals the mode, and j equals the range.
Which statement is true?
f < g = h < j
h < j = f = g
f = g < j = h
j = f < g = h
j < g < h = f
f = g < j = h
The answer is f = g < j = h.
First rearrange the number set in a convenient form:
{2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 12, 14}
f = 9
g = 9
h = 12
j = 12
Example Question #21 : Statistics
In a regular 52-card deck of cards, what is the expected number of aces in a 5-card hand?
5/12
5/13
1/4
1/13
1/6
5/13
There are 4 aces in the 52-card deck so the probability of dealing an ace is 4/52 = 1/13. In a 5-card hand, each card is equally likely to be an ace with probability 1/13. So together, the expected number of aces in a 5-card hand is 5 * 1/13 = 5/13.
Example Question #545 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative Comparison
The average of five numbers is 72.
Quantity A: the sum of the five numbers
Quantity B: 350
The two quantities are equal.
The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
Quantity A is greater.
Quantity B is greater.
Quantity A is greater.
We know the formula here is average = sum / number of values. Plugging in the values we have, 72 = sum / 5. Then the sum = 72 * 5 = 360, so Quantity A is greater.