Descriptive Statistics - GMAT Quantitative
Card 1 of 476

What is the sum of
and
?
(1) The mode of the numbers in the list is
.
(2) The product of
and
is
.
What is the sum of and
?
(1) The mode of the numbers in the list is .
(2) The product of and
is
.
Tap to reveal answer

The mode is the value that appears most often in a set of data. In our list the value that appears most often is 2y. Therefore 2y is the mode of the numbers in the list.
(1) The mode of the numbers in the list is 20.


We still don't know the value of x. Statement (1) ALONE is not sufficient.
(2) The product of x and y is 150.


Statement (2) ALONE is not sufficient.
Using both statements, we can write


Therefore, 
Both statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
The mode is the value that appears most often in a set of data. In our list the value that appears most often is 2y. Therefore 2y is the mode of the numbers in the list.
(1) The mode of the numbers in the list is 20.
We still don't know the value of x. Statement (1) ALONE is not sufficient.
(2) The product of x and y is 150.
Statement (2) ALONE is not sufficient.
Using both statements, we can write
Therefore,
Both statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
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Find the mode of the following set of numbers:

Find the mode of the following set of numbers:
Tap to reveal answer
The mode is the number that occurs most frequently. Therefore, our answer is
.
The mode is the number that occurs most frequently. Therefore, our answer is .
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Is 3 the average of a sequence?
(1)There are 3 numbers in the sequence
(2)The mode of the sequence is 3
Is 3 the average of a sequence?
(1)There are 3 numbers in the sequence
(2)The mode of the sequence is 3
Tap to reveal answer
For statement (1), since we don’t know the value of each number, we cannot calculate the average of the sequence. For statement (2), the mode of the sequence is 3 means that “3” occurs most times in the sequence, but we cannot get to the average because we don’t know the value of other numbers. If we look at the two conditions together, we will know that there are 2 or 3 “3”'s in the sequence, but we don’t know exactly how many times “3” occurs. If the 3 numbers are all “3”s, then we can answer the question; If not, then we cannot answer the question. Thus both statements together are not sufficient.
For statement (1), since we don’t know the value of each number, we cannot calculate the average of the sequence. For statement (2), the mode of the sequence is 3 means that “3” occurs most times in the sequence, but we cannot get to the average because we don’t know the value of other numbers. If we look at the two conditions together, we will know that there are 2 or 3 “3”'s in the sequence, but we don’t know exactly how many times “3” occurs. If the 3 numbers are all “3”s, then we can answer the question; If not, then we cannot answer the question. Thus both statements together are not sufficient.
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Calculate the average of the 5 integers.
Statement 1: They are consecutive even integers.
Statement 2: The smallest of the integers is 8 less than the largest of the five integers.
Calculate the average of the 5 integers.
Statement 1: They are consecutive even integers.
Statement 2: The smallest of the integers is 8 less than the largest of the five integers.
Tap to reveal answer
We are looking for an average here. Statement 1 tells us we are looking for even consecutive integers such as 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Statement 2 tells us the difference between the smallest and largest integer; however, the difference between the largest and smallest of five consecutive even (or odd) integers will ALWAYS be 8, regardless of what 5 consecutive integers we choose; therefore the two statements don't give us enough information to solve for the average.
We are looking for an average here. Statement 1 tells us we are looking for even consecutive integers such as 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Statement 2 tells us the difference between the smallest and largest integer; however, the difference between the largest and smallest of five consecutive even (or odd) integers will ALWAYS be 8, regardless of what 5 consecutive integers we choose; therefore the two statements don't give us enough information to solve for the average.
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Data sufficiency question- do not actually solve the question
Find the mean of a set of 5 numbers.
1. The sum of the numbers is 72.
2. The median of the set is 15.
Data sufficiency question- do not actually solve the question
Find the mean of a set of 5 numbers.
1. The sum of the numbers is 72.
2. The median of the set is 15.
Tap to reveal answer
Statement 2 does not provide enough information about the mean as it can vary greatly from the median. Statement 1 is sufficient to calculate the mean, because even though it is impossible to calculate the set of numbers, the mean is calculated by dividing the sum by the total number of incidences in the set.
Statement 2 does not provide enough information about the mean as it can vary greatly from the median. Statement 1 is sufficient to calculate the mean, because even though it is impossible to calculate the set of numbers, the mean is calculated by dividing the sum by the total number of incidences in the set.
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1. If the arithmetic mean of five different numbers is 50, how many of the numbers are greater than 50?
(1) None of the five numbers is greater than 100.
(2) Three of the five numbers are 24, 25 and 26, respectively.
1. If the arithmetic mean of five different numbers is 50, how many of the numbers are greater than 50?
(1) None of the five numbers is greater than 100.
(2) Three of the five numbers are 24, 25 and 26, respectively.
Tap to reveal answer
For statement (1), there are different combinations that satisfy the condition. For example, the five numbers can be
or the five numbers can be
. Therefore, we cannot determine how many of the numbers are greater than
by knowing the first statement.
For statement (2), even though we know three of them, the two unknown numbers can both be greater than
, or one smaller and one greater. Thus statement (2) is not sufficient.
Putting the two statements together, we know that the sum of the two unknown numbers is

Since none of them is greater than 100, both of them have to be greater than 50. Therefore when we combine the two statements, we know that there are two numbers that are greater than 50.
For statement (1), there are different combinations that satisfy the condition. For example, the five numbers can be or the five numbers can be
. Therefore, we cannot determine how many of the numbers are greater than
by knowing the first statement.
For statement (2), even though we know three of them, the two unknown numbers can both be greater than , or one smaller and one greater. Thus statement (2) is not sufficient.
Putting the two statements together, we know that the sum of the two unknown numbers is
Since none of them is greater than 100, both of them have to be greater than 50. Therefore when we combine the two statements, we know that there are two numbers that are greater than 50.
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What is the arithmetic mean of a data set with twenty data values, each of which is a positive integer?
-
The sum of the odd values is 1,144 and the sum of the even values is 856.
-
The sum of the lowest ten values is 400 and the sum of the greatest ten values is 1,600.
What is the arithmetic mean of a data set with twenty data values, each of which is a positive integer?
-
The sum of the odd values is 1,144 and the sum of the even values is 856.
-
The sum of the lowest ten values is 400 and the sum of the greatest ten values is 1,600.
Tap to reveal answer
The arithmetic mean of a data set is the sum of the values divided by the number of values in the set. Since we know that there are 20 values, all we need is the sum of the values. The sum can be easily deduced to be 2,000 from either one of the statements, so the arithmetic mean can be determined to be
.
The answer is that either statement alone is sufficient.
The arithmetic mean of a data set is the sum of the values divided by the number of values in the set. Since we know that there are 20 values, all we need is the sum of the values. The sum can be easily deduced to be 2,000 from either one of the statements, so the arithmetic mean can be determined to be .
The answer is that either statement alone is sufficient.
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In western North Carolina, three towns lie along scenic rte 129 (the old Tallulah road). From north to south they are - Bear Creek, Sweet Gum and Robbinsville. Each town boasts of 6 establishments that sell moonshine (18 establishments total). Henry decides to test the alcohol content in all 18 establishemnts to see if there is a significant difference between the proof level in each town. He gathers the folloiwng evidence -
Robbinsville - 171, 170, 166, 180, 170, 177; avg=172.3; variance=26.67
Sweet Gum - 181, 177, 164, 190, 181, 180; avg = 178.8; variance=71.77
Bear Creek - 170, 180, 171, 191, 188, 188; avg=181.3; variance=83.87
The null hypothesis is: the 3 averages are the same.
Use the ANOVA F-test to see if we can reject the null hypothesis at the 95% level of confidence. Give both the F value and the percentile value (p) for the test.
Hint - ANOVA compares the variation between samples (MSB) to the variation within samples (MSW). If MSB is much greater than MSW, then we reject the null hypothesis and conclude that the 3 samples are significantly different. The F statistic is calculated MSB/MSW.
In western North Carolina, three towns lie along scenic rte 129 (the old Tallulah road). From north to south they are - Bear Creek, Sweet Gum and Robbinsville. Each town boasts of 6 establishments that sell moonshine (18 establishments total). Henry decides to test the alcohol content in all 18 establishemnts to see if there is a significant difference between the proof level in each town. He gathers the folloiwng evidence -
Robbinsville - 171, 170, 166, 180, 170, 177; avg=172.3; variance=26.67
Sweet Gum - 181, 177, 164, 190, 181, 180; avg = 178.8; variance=71.77
Bear Creek - 170, 180, 171, 191, 188, 188; avg=181.3; variance=83.87
The null hypothesis is: the 3 averages are the same.
Use the ANOVA F-test to see if we can reject the null hypothesis at the 95% level of confidence. Give both the F value and the percentile value (p) for the test.
Hint - ANOVA compares the variation between samples (MSB) to the variation within samples (MSW). If MSB is much greater than MSW, then we reject the null hypothesis and conclude that the 3 samples are significantly different. The F statistic is calculated MSB/MSW.
Tap to reveal answer
The number of sample for each town = 6; N=6; E = 6-1 = 5
Overall average (of all 18 establishments) = 177.5 = O
Number of towns (columns) = 3; V1=3-1=2
total samles = 18; V2=18-3 = 15






For an F value of 2.13 with V1=2 and V2 = 15, p = .153
So, we can not reject the null hypothesis because our data would occur 15% of the time assuming the 3 averages are equal.
Note - the cutoff F value for 95% is 3.68
The number of sample for each town = 6; N=6; E = 6-1 = 5
Overall average (of all 18 establishments) = 177.5 = O
Number of towns (columns) = 3; V1=3-1=2
total samles = 18; V2=18-3 = 15
For an F value of 2.13 with V1=2 and V2 = 15, p = .153
So, we can not reject the null hypothesis because our data would occur 15% of the time assuming the 3 averages are equal.
Note - the cutoff F value for 95% is 3.68
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A high school basketball player practices 40 free throws every day. Over the past 90 days he has averaged 25 successful free throws.
What is the probability that tomorrow he will make 30 or more free throws?
A high school basketball player practices 40 free throws every day. Over the past 90 days he has averaged 25 successful free throws.
What is the probability that tomorrow he will make 30 or more free throws?
Tap to reveal answer



standard deviation =



Percentile =


standard deviation =
Percentile =
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A meteorologist is attempting to calculate the average (arithmetic mean) temperature highs for the past week. What is the arithmetic mean of the high temperatures for the last week?
1. The mean high temperature for the past 3 days is 75 degrees. The mean high temperature for the 4 days before that was 80 degrees.
2. The high temperatures for the last 7 days are as follows (in degrees): 80, 81, 79, 80, 77, 75, 73
A meteorologist is attempting to calculate the average (arithmetic mean) temperature highs for the past week. What is the arithmetic mean of the high temperatures for the last week?
1. The mean high temperature for the past 3 days is 75 degrees. The mean high temperature for the 4 days before that was 80 degrees.
2. The high temperatures for the last 7 days are as follows (in degrees): 80, 81, 79, 80, 77, 75, 73
Tap to reveal answer
Statement 1 can be used to find the arithmetic mean by combining the information. For statement 1, the average for the last seven days is found by reversing the arithmetic mean equation. Let
be the sum of the degrees for the past 3 days. Let
be the sum of the degrees for the 4 days before that. Then we get
and
so we can solve and find
and
.
Also, we know
= the arithmetic mean for the last week.
So 
Statement 2 can be used to find the arithmetic mean using the arithmetic mean formula. This is the total sum, divided by the number of days. Thus,

Statement 1 can be used to find the arithmetic mean by combining the information. For statement 1, the average for the last seven days is found by reversing the arithmetic mean equation. Let be the sum of the degrees for the past 3 days. Let
be the sum of the degrees for the 4 days before that. Then we get
and
so we can solve and find
and
.
Also, we know = the arithmetic mean for the last week.
So
Statement 2 can be used to find the arithmetic mean using the arithmetic mean formula. This is the total sum, divided by the number of days. Thus,
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When assigning a score for the term, a professor takes the mean of all of a student's test scores.
Joe is trying for a score of 90 for the term. He has one test left to take. What is the minimum that Joe can score and achieve his goal?
Statement 1: He has a median score of 85 so far.
Statement 2: He has a mean score of 87 so far.
When assigning a score for the term, a professor takes the mean of all of a student's test scores.
Joe is trying for a score of 90 for the term. He has one test left to take. What is the minimum that Joe can score and achieve his goal?
Statement 1: He has a median score of 85 so far.
Statement 2: He has a mean score of 87 so far.
Tap to reveal answer
Knowing the median score is neither necessary nor helpful. What will be needed is the sum of the scores so far and the number of tests Joe has taken. But the number of tests taken is not given, and without this, there is no way to find the sum either.
Knowing the median score is neither necessary nor helpful. What will be needed is the sum of the scores so far and the number of tests Joe has taken. But the number of tests taken is not given, and without this, there is no way to find the sum either.
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Choose the answer that best describes sufficient data to solve the problem.
3 numbers are given in increasing order. The arithemetic mean of the first two is 5 less than the arithmetic mean of all three. The sum of the first two numbers is equal to the arithmetic mean of the last two. What is the first number?
I. The second number is given.
II. The arithmetic mean of the first and third numbers is given.
Choose the answer that best describes sufficient data to solve the problem.
3 numbers are given in increasing order. The arithemetic mean of the first two is 5 less than the arithmetic mean of all three. The sum of the first two numbers is equal to the arithmetic mean of the last two. What is the first number?
I. The second number is given.
II. The arithmetic mean of the first and third numbers is given.
Tap to reveal answer
3 numbers are given in increasing order.

I. The second number is given.
is determined
II. The arithmetic mean of the first and third numbers is given.
is given, and therefore
is given.
We are given a system of equations by the prompt:
The arithemetic mean of the first two is 5 less than the arithmetic mean of all three.


The sum of the first two numbers is equal to the arithmetic mean of the last two.

Combining these two, we get: 
Thus, the second statement doesn't actually provide us with any information (we are still left with 2 equations and 3 variables, which cannot be solved for any particular number).
On the other hand, if y is determined, then
relates
and
. Similarly,
relates
and
. Since these give different equations, we could use them to solve for both
and
.
So the first gives sufficient data while the second does not.
3 numbers are given in increasing order.
I. The second number is given.
is determined
II. The arithmetic mean of the first and third numbers is given.
is given, and therefore
is given.
We are given a system of equations by the prompt:
The arithemetic mean of the first two is 5 less than the arithmetic mean of all three.
The sum of the first two numbers is equal to the arithmetic mean of the last two.
Combining these two, we get:
Thus, the second statement doesn't actually provide us with any information (we are still left with 2 equations and 3 variables, which cannot be solved for any particular number).
On the other hand, if y is determined, then relates
and
. Similarly,
relates
and
. Since these give different equations, we could use them to solve for both
and
.
So the first gives sufficient data while the second does not.
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What is the mean of
,
,
,
,
, and
?
Statement 1: 
Statement 2: 
What is the mean of ,
,
,
,
, and
?
Statement 1:
Statement 2:
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The mean of a data set requires you to know the sum of the elements and the number of elements; you know the latter, but neither statement alone provides any clues to the former.
However, if you know both, you can add both sides of the equations as follows:



Rewrite as:

and divide by 9:

Now you know the sum, so divide it by 6 to get the mean:
.
The mean of a data set requires you to know the sum of the elements and the number of elements; you know the latter, but neither statement alone provides any clues to the former.
However, if you know both, you can add both sides of the equations as follows:
Rewrite as:
and divide by 9:
Now you know the sum, so divide it by 6 to get the mean:
.
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If
and
, then what is the mean of
,
,
,
, and
?
If and
, then what is the mean of
,
,
,
, and
?
Tap to reveal answer
Multiply the second equation by 2 on each side, and add it to the first equation.






Divide this sum by 5:

Multiply the second equation by 2 on each side, and add it to the first equation.
Divide this sum by 5:
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Data sufficiency question
Determine the mean of a number set.
1. The mode is 7.
2. The median is 7.
Data sufficiency question
Determine the mean of a number set.
1. The mode is 7.
2. The median is 7.
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The median gives information about the center of a set of numbers, but is insufficient for calculating the mean. Additionally, the mode merely indicates which number is the most repeated value. Therefore, more information is required to calculate the mean.
The median gives information about the center of a set of numbers, but is insufficient for calculating the mean. Additionally, the mode merely indicates which number is the most repeated value. Therefore, more information is required to calculate the mean.
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A professor records the average class grade for each exam. The average class grades for the semester are respectively:

What is the average class grade for the semester?
(1) 
(2) 
A professor records the average class grade for each exam. The average class grades for the semester are respectively:
What is the average class grade for the semester?
(1)
(2)
Tap to reveal answer
The mean class grade is the sum of all average class grades divided by the number of grades:

Using Statement (1):

Therefore Statement (1) is sufficient to calculate the arithmetic mean for these grades.
Using statement (2):

Therefore 


Therefore Statement (2) is sufficient to calculate the arithmetic mean for these grades.
Each Statement ALONE IS SUFFICIENT to answer the question
The mean class grade is the sum of all average class grades divided by the number of grades:
Using Statement (1):
Therefore Statement (1) is sufficient to calculate the arithmetic mean for these grades.
Using statement (2):
Therefore
Therefore Statement (2) is sufficient to calculate the arithmetic mean for these grades.
Each Statement ALONE IS SUFFICIENT to answer the question
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What is the value of
?
(1) 
(2) The arithmetic mean of the numbers in the list is
.
What is the value of ?
(1)
(2) The arithmetic mean of the numbers in the list is .
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Statement (1) provides the value of y in terms of x, which is not enough to determine the value of x in the list we are given.
Statement (2) gives the arithmetic mean of the list. We can the write the following equation:



However, we cannot find the value of x using the information in Statement (2) only.
Using the information in Statement (1), we can replace y by x-4 in the previous equation:



We need both statements to calculate the value of x.
Both statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
Statement (1) provides the value of y in terms of x, which is not enough to determine the value of x in the list we are given.
Statement (2) gives the arithmetic mean of the list. We can the write the following equation:
However, we cannot find the value of x using the information in Statement (2) only.
Using the information in Statement (1), we can replace y by x-4 in the previous equation:
We need both statements to calculate the value of x.
Both statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
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We think that our average customer spends roughly $40 - $60 every time he/she visits our website. We can assume that the expenditure amounts are normally distributed, but, we do not know the standard deviation. We sample 15 web expenditures; our sample average is $52 and our sample standard deviation is $8.
We are 95% sure that our true population average is $52 plus or minus....
We think that our average customer spends roughly $40 - $60 every time he/she visits our website. We can assume that the expenditure amounts are normally distributed, but, we do not know the standard deviation. We sample 15 web expenditures; our sample average is $52 and our sample standard deviation is $8.
We are 95% sure that our true population average is $52 plus or minus....
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standard deviation of the sample mean is:

95%
for 14 d.o.f. =

confidence interval is

standard deviation of the sample mean is:
95% for 14 d.o.f. =
confidence interval is
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During a particularly hectic week at Ballard High, Robert drank 5, 8, 3, 6, 2, 9, and 14 cans of Slurp Soda, respectively, on each of the 7 days. What is the product of Robert's mean and median soda consumption for that week?
During a particularly hectic week at Ballard High, Robert drank 5, 8, 3, 6, 2, 9, and 14 cans of Slurp Soda, respectively, on each of the 7 days. What is the product of Robert's mean and median soda consumption for that week?
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To find the mean, we find the sum of all of the values, and divide by how many there are:

To find the mean we rearrange the values in ascending numerical order and select the middle value:

The product, then, is 
To find the mean, we find the sum of all of the values, and divide by how many there are:
To find the mean we rearrange the values in ascending numerical order and select the middle value:
The product, then, is
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Give the arithmetic mean of the first and third terms of an arithmetic sequence.
Statement 1: The fifth term of the sequence is 130.
Statement 2: The second term of the sequence is 100.
Give the arithmetic mean of the first and third terms of an arithmetic sequence.
Statement 1: The fifth term of the sequence is 130.
Statement 2: The second term of the sequence is 100.
Tap to reveal answer
An arithmetic sequence is one in which each term is formed by adding the same number to its preceding term - the common difference.
Let
be the first term, and
be the common difference. The first five terms are

The arithmetic mean of two numbers is half the sum of the numbers. The arithmetic mean of the first and third terms is
,
which is the second term. Statement 2 alone gives this number as 100.
Now assume Statement 1 alone. Consider these two sequences, both of which can be seen to be arithmetic with fifth term 130:


The arithmetic mean of the first and third terms differ, as can be seen by looking at the second terms; in the first sequence, it is 127, and in the second, it is 100. That makes Statement 2 inconclusive.
An arithmetic sequence is one in which each term is formed by adding the same number to its preceding term - the common difference.
Let be the first term, and
be the common difference. The first five terms are
The arithmetic mean of two numbers is half the sum of the numbers. The arithmetic mean of the first and third terms is
,
which is the second term. Statement 2 alone gives this number as 100.
Now assume Statement 1 alone. Consider these two sequences, both of which can be seen to be arithmetic with fifth term 130:
The arithmetic mean of the first and third terms differ, as can be seen by looking at the second terms; in the first sequence, it is 127, and in the second, it is 100. That makes Statement 2 inconclusive.
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