GRE General TestQuantitative ReasoningEasy
A data analyst is examining a set of exam scores: 75, 80, 85, 90, 95. If a new score of 60 is added to this set, what is the new median of the scores?
- A82.5
- B80
- C77.5
- D85
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 82.5
To find the median, first arrange all scores in ascending order. If there's an even number of data points, the median is the average of the two middle numbers.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This would be the median if only 5 scores remained, or if 80 was the lower of the two middle numbers.
- C. This might be a miscalculation of the average of the two middle numbers.
- D. This was the original median before adding the new score.
Median with Even/Odd Data Sets
The median is the middle value in an ordered data set. For an odd number of data points, it's the single middle value. For an even number, it's the average of the two middle values.
- Data must be ordered (ascending or descending).
- Not affected by extreme outliers as much as the mean.
- Divides the data set into two equal halves.
Memory trick: Median's Middle: Order the numbers, then find the one in the middle (or average of two).