16Hit1600
Problem-Solving and Data AnalysisVery hardMean after removing a value

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis practice question

The mean of a list of 5 numbers is 20. When the number 32 is removed from the list, what is the mean of the remaining 4 numbers?

Answer: 17

The five numbers total 100. Removing 32 leaves 68 across 4 numbers: 68/4 = 17.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 16
16 is (100 − 32) ÷ 4 miscomputed as 64/4.
If you answered 20
Removing a number above the mean must lower the mean.
If you answered 13.6
13.6 divides 68 by 5 instead of 4.

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