PSAT Math Multiple-Choice Question 396: Answer and Explanation

Question: 396

Data set K consists of the values 11, 4, 0, 7, 14, 1, 3, 7, and 13. Which of the following has the least value?

• A. The mode of data set K
• B. The median of data set K
• C. The mean of data set K
• D. One-half the range of data set K

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

Difficulty: Medium

Getting to the Answer: First arrange the elements of data set K in increasing order: 0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 7, 11, 13, 14. The mode is 7 because that is the only value that appears twice. There are nine values, so the median is the fifth number, which is also 7. The mean is . Finally, the range is 14 - 0 = 14. One-half of that is 7. The mean has the least value, so (C) is correct.