Question

Consider the following 8 numbers, where one labelled x is unknown. 42, 47, 5, x , 18, 12, 50, 1 Given that the range of the numbers is 59, work out 2 values of x .

Answer 1

The two possible values for x are x = 60 and x = -9

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Explanation:

Let's assume that x is the largest value of the list. If so then x = 60 because

range = max - min

range = x - 1

range = 60-1

range = 59

Effectively, you work backwards to go from a range of 59 to have x = 60 as the max.

So x = 60 is one possible value. We can't have x any larger or the range would be larger.

But we can have x be smaller. Specifically, it would be the min of the list. If negative x values are allowed, then x = -9 is the other possible x value

Here's why

range = max - min

range = 50 - x

range = 50 - (-9)

range = 50+9

range = 59