Mean, Median and Mode of Integers

XAT 2013 · Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation · Medium · Statistics

The mean of six positive integers is 15. The median is 18, and the only mode of the integers is less than 18. The maximum possible value of the largest of the six integers is

  1. A.

    26

  2. B.

    28

  3. C.

    30

  4. D.

    32

  5. E.

    34

Answer

D

Explanation

Sum of 6 integers = 15×6=9015 \times 6 = 90. Arranged in order x1≤x2≤x3≤x4≤x5≤x6x_1 \le x_2 \le x_3 \le x_4 \le x_5 \le x_6. Median = x3+x42=18  ⟹  x3+x4=36\frac{x_3 + x_4}{2} = 18 \implies x_3 + x_4 = 36. Mode < 18, so the mode must be x1=x2x_1 = x_2. To maximize x6x_6, minimize x1,x2,x3,x4,x5x_1, x_2, x_3, x_4, x_5. Set x1=x2=1x_1 = x_2 = 1. Since x3+x4=36x_3 + x_4 = 36 and x3≠x4x_3 \neq x_4 (otherwise mode would be 18), choose x3=17,x4=19x_3 = 17, x_4 = 19. To minimize x5x_5, set x5=20x_5 = 20 (since x5>x4=19x_5 > x_4 = 19). Then x6=90−(1+1+17+19+20)=90−58=32x_6 = 90 - (1 + 1 + 17 + 19 + 20) = 90 - 58 = 32.

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