GMAT Math Questionbank | Statistics

This GMAT quant practice question is a problem solving question from statistics and averages. Concepts tested combines arithmetic mean and range of numbers. A medium difficulty GMAT 650 level sample question.

Question 9: If the average of 5 positive integers is 40 and the difference between the largest and the smallest of these 5 numbers is 10, what is the maximum value possible for the largest of these 5 integers?

1. 50
2. 52
3. 49
4. 48
5. 44

Video Explanation

Explanatory Answer

The average of 5 positive integers is 40. i.e., the sum of these integers = 5 × 40 = 200

Let the least of these 5 numbers be x.
Because the range of the set is 10, the largest of these 5 numbers will be x + 10.

If we have to maximize the largest of these numbers, we have to minimize all the other numbers.
That is 4 of these numbers are all at the least value possible = x.

So, x + x + x + x + x + 10 = 200
Or x = 38.
So, the maximum value possible for the largest of these 5 integers is 48.

Choice D is the correct answer.