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Changing Averages

Age 14 to 16
ShortChallenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star
Secondary curriculum
  • Problem
  • Solutions

Using each piece of information, we can construct the list, with the numbers ordered from smallest to largest.

'The smallest number in the list is $10$' allows us to begin constructing the list: $$ 10, \underline{        }, \underline{        }, ... $$

'The median is $m$. $m$ is one of the numbers on the list', means $m$ must be the middle number on the list.
The 'list has a mode of $32$', so $32$ must appear at least twice on the list. We can't be sure, but it is likely that $32$ is greater than $m$: $$10, ..., m, ..., 32, 32, ...$$

The mean is $22$, but 'If $m$ were replaced with $m + 10$, the mean of the new list would be $24$.' So increasing one of the numbers by $10$ increases the mean by $2$, which is $10\div5$. So there must be $5$ numbers on the list: $$10, \underline{        }, m, 32, 32$$

'If $m$ were instead replaced with $m - 8$, the median of the new list would be $m - 4$.' So $m-4$ must also be a number on the list: $$10, m-4, m, 32, 32$$

The mean is $22$, so we can set up an equation to find $m$:
$$\begin{align} \frac{10+(m-4)+m+32+32}5&=22\\
\Rightarrow \frac{70+2m}{5}&=22\\
\Rightarrow \frac{35}{5}+\frac{m}{5}&=11\\
\Rightarrow 7+\frac{m}5&=11\\
\Rightarrow \frac{m}5&=11-7\\
\Rightarrow m&=4\times5\\
\Rightarrow m&=20\end{align}$$
You can find more short problems, arranged by curriculum topic, in our short problems collection.

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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