DON'T GET THE LOGICS

[RobertoB400]

As for the plug in numbers vs algebra, how to solve this (I thought the answer was D and yeah the easy concept of mean/median is clear):

Given the ascending set of positive integers { a, b, c, d, e, f}, is the median greater than the mean?

(1) a + e = (3/4)( c + d)

(2) b + f = (4/3)( c + d)

[tim]

Are you asking for advice on whether to plug in numbers or solve algebraically? If so, the answer is that you should practice both methods until they're both second nature to you and you can choose either one! :)

[RonPurewal]

because you're told that the numbers are in ascending order, you can actually write a formula for the median: it's (c + d)/2. (if the order isn't specified, it's impossible to write an algebraic expression for the median of a set.)

for the individual statements, you might be best off picking numbers, since you have complete freedom to choose the two numbers that are uninvolved in each (b & f in statement 1, a & e in statement 2).

once you put them together:
... you have a formula for the median in terms of c & d,
... you have all the other letters in terms of c & d, too.
this suggests an algebraic approach.

[RonPurewal]

most importantly, though--as tim basically said--when you review this problem, you should investigate all possible solution methods.

[sahilk47]

Is the answer (c) here?

[RonPurewal]

Is the answer (c) here?

note that...
...the median is (c + d)/2,
...if you have both statements, you can also express the mean in terms of c & d.

so, that should answer this question (although you should still know how to deal with the individual statements).

[sahilk47]

Is the answer (c) here?

note that...
...the median is (c + d)/2,
...if you have both statements, you can also express the mean in terms of c & d.

so, that should answer this question (although you should still know how to deal with the individual statements).

Thank you

[tim]

[RonPurewal]

Is the answer (c) here?

note that...
...the median is (c + d)/2,
...if you have both statements, you can also express the mean in terms of c & d.

so, that should answer this question (although you should still know how to deal with the individual statements).

Thank you

you're welcome.