2012-06-20 09:00:46

Set A: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
Set B: {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}

If the median of set A is x percent of the median of set B, what is x?

A) 50
B) 55
C) 60
D) 65
E) 70

The correct answer is E

Explanation: Start by finding the median of each set. The median of a set of numbers is the number that is in the middle when the set is placed in numeric order. If the set contains an odd number of members, then it is just the middle number, but if the set contains an even number of members, its median is the average of the middle two numbers. Thus, Set B's median is just 5 (as it is the middle number), but Set A's median is the average of 3 and 4 (the two middle numbers), meaning the median of Set A is 3.5.

The prompt states that the median of A is x percent of the median of B, so the question requires you to figure out what percent of 5 is 3.5. Percent is part/whole multiplied by 100%. 3.5/5 = .7, and .7 x 100% is 70. Thus, x is 70.