If set Y consists of the consecutive integers p, q, r, s ...

[I_need_a_700plus]

The following question is from a CAT exam:

If set Y consists of the consecutive integers p, q, r, s, and t such that p < q < r < s < t, then all of the following are true EXCEPT:

a) increasing only t will increase the range of set Y
B) increasing only t will increase the mean of set Y
c) decreasing only p will increase the range of set Y
d) decreasing only r will decrease the mean of set Y
e) increasing only t will increase the median of set Y

The answer is E, but I thought it was true. What's wrong with my logic? If my original set Y consists of 1<2<3<4<5 (median = 3) and increase t to 7 so my new set = 3<4<5<6<7 (median = 5), doesn't this make the statement true?

[jlucero]

When it says increasing only T, you need to leave the other variables alone. So your before and after should be:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 3, 4, 7

Median stays at 3.

[I_need_a_700plus]

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the response, but doesn't the question state "if set Y consists of consecutive integers..."?

If your new set is "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7" - isn't this no longer consecutive?

[tim]

It's also no longer t! The original variables are consecutive (as stipulated in the initial constraints), but the adjusted values don't have to be.