Friday, January 11, 2008

Data Sufficiency - 36

If set S consist of the numbers 1, 5, -2, 8, and n, is 0 less than n less than 7 ?

1). the median of the numbers in S is less than 5.
2). the median of the numbers in S is greater than 1

Answer: C

From statement (1): Median will be less than 5 only if n is located below 5
Thus the median will either be 1 if n less than 1 or n if 1 less than n less than 5
Hence in both cases n is less than 5 but it can also be n less than 0 ....insufficient

From statement (2): M
edian will be greater than 1 only if n is located above 1
Thus median will either be 5 if n greater than 5 or n if 1 less than n less than 5
Hence in both cases n greater than 1 but it can also be n greater than 7 ....insufficient

Taking statements (1) and (2) together: 1 less than n less than 5 which lies within the given interval 0 less than n less than 7 ...thus possible values for n are be 2, 3, or 4

Hence the answer C