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Source: Revised GRE PDF 2nd Ed. Section 6; #25 (p. 93)

8

3.7, 4.1, a, 8.5, 9.2, 2a

Select All The Answer Choices That Apply 3.7, 4.1, a, 8.5, 9.2, 2a The six numbers shown are listed in increasing order. Which of the following values could be the range of the six numbers? Indicate all such values. 4.0, 5.2, 7.3, 11.6, 12.9, 14.1

5 Explanations

1

Noor Almazroa

I don't understand, if we are trying to find the value of a then how are choices D and E possible since they are bigger than 8.5?

Feb 16, 2019 • Comment

Adam

Hey Noor,
We aren't actually looking for the value of a. We need to know the value of a, yes, but the question is asking us for the range of the numbers, not the value of a. The minimum value of a is 4.600001, which gives a range slightly more than 5.5. The maximum value of a is 8.4999, which gives a range slightly less than 13.3. So anything between 5.5 and 13.3 works as an answer choice.

Hope that helps!

Feb 18, 2019 • Reply

3

anik alam

if we take a=4.2 then B could be the range

Nov 1, 2017 • Comment

Jonathan , Magoosh Tutor

Hi Anik,
a cannot equal 4.2 because then 2a would be 8.4 and 2a would not be greater than 9.2
We are told the numbers are in increasing order, so 2a must be greater than 9.2

Nov 6, 2017 • Reply

2

How can it not be B i.e 5.2? It will make a = 4.45 which is possible right?

Jul 20, 2017 • Comment

Sam Kinsman

Keep in mind that a has to be greater than 4.6. If a is 4.45, then 2a is 8.9. Notice that 2a is listed after 9.2, which means that 2a is greater than 9.2. If a = 4.45, then 2a will not be greater than 9.2, so a cannot be 4.45

Jul 22, 2017 • Reply

1

MIshal Patel

a could be 4.1 as well, right?

Apr 11, 2016 • Comment

Cydney Seigerman, Magoosh Tutor

Hi there :)

Good question! It turns out that a cannot equal 4.1. If that were the case, then 2a = 8.2 and the values would not be listed in increasing order.

Hope that helps :)

Apr 15, 2016 • Reply

3

Chris Lele

Sep 27, 2012 • Comment

Francisco Olivas

So we have to find the range of possible ranges to cross out options, right?

Oct 11, 2017 • Reply

Jonathan , Magoosh Tutor

Hi Francisco,
Yes, that's correct. We find the range must be greater than 5.5 and less than 13.3.

Nov 6, 2017 • Reply

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