2007 AMC 12A Problem 15

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Concepts:median (data)meancasework

Difficulty rating: 1500

15.

The set {3,6,9,10}\{3,6,9,10\} is augmented by a fifth element n,n, not equal to any of the other four. The median of the resulting set is equal to its mean. What is the sum of all possible values of n?n?

77

99

1919

2424

2626

Solution:

The mean is 28+n5.\dfrac{28+n}{5}.

If n<6,n\lt 6, the median is 6,6, so 28+n=3028+n=30 and n=2.n=2.

If 6<n<9,6\lt n\lt 9, the median is n,n, so 28+n=5n28+n=5n and n=7.n=7.

If n>9,n\gt 9, the median is 9,9, so 28+n=4528+n=45 and n=17.n=17.

The sum of all possible values is 2+7+17=26.2+7+17=26.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

Problem 15 in Other Years