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? Math · None · None · MCQ Q26

- Data Set A Data Set B 12 12~----- 10-+----- 10 ~ ~ 8 8+------i g. g. 6 6+---l ~ 4 ~ 4-+-~--t µ. µ. 2 2 ~ 0_10_20 0-+--+---+---+---+---+ I 30 40 50 60 10 20 30 40 50 60 Integer Integer Two data sets of 23 integers each are summarized in the histograms shown. For each of the histograms, the first interval represents the frequency of integers greater than or equal to 10, but less than 20. The second interval represents the frequency of integers greater than or equal to 20, but less than 30, and so on. What is the smallest possible difference between the mean of data set A and the mean of data set B?

A
0
B
1
C
10
D
23 STO

Correct answer: B (parsed from the explanation — this source omits an answer key for this item)

Explanation

Choice B is correct. The histograms shown have the same shape, but data set A 20 60 10 contains values between and and data set B contains values between 50 and . Thus, the mean of data set A is greater than the mean of data set B. Therefore, the smallest possible difference between the mean of data set A and the mean of data set B is the difference between the smallest possible mean of data set A and the greatest possible mean of data set B. In data set A, since there 46 SAT PRACTICE TEST #10 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n MATH: MODULE 2 20 30 are 3 integers in the interval greater than or equal to but less than , 30 40 4 integers greater than or equal to but less than , 7 integers greater than or 40 50 50 equal to but less than , and 9 integers greater than or equal to but less 60 3$20+4$30+7$40+9$50 than , the smallest possible mean for data set A is ^ h ^ h23^ h ^ h. In 10 20 data set B, since there are 3 integers greater than or equal to but less than , 20 30 4 integers greater than or equal to but less than , 7 integers greater than or 30 40 40 equal to but less than , and 9 integers greater than or equal to but less 50 3$19+4$29+7$39+9$49 than , the largest possible mean for data set B is ^ h ^ h23^ h ^ h. Therefore, the smallest possible difference between the mean of data set A and the mean of data set B is ^ 3$20 h + ^ 4$30 h2 + 3^ 7$40 h + ^ 9$50 h-^ 3$19 h + ^ 4$29 h2 + 3^ 7$39 h + ^ 9$49 h, 3$20-3$19+4$30-4$29+7$40-7$39+9$50-9$49 which is equivalent to ^ h ^ h ^ h ^ h23^ h ^ h ^ h ^ h. This 320-19+430-29+740-39+950-49 23 expression can be rewritten as ^ h ^ h23 ^ h ^ h, or 23, which is equal to 1. Therefore, the smallest possible difference between the mean of data set A and the mean of data set B is 1. Choice A is incorrect. This is the smallest possible difference between the ranges, not the means, of the data sets. Choice C is incorrect. This is the difference between the greatest possible mean, not the smallest possible mean, of data set A and the greatest possible mean of data set B. Choice D is incorrect. This is the smallest possible difference between the sum of the values in data set A and the sum of the values in data set B, not the smallest possible difference between the means.

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