If the average of ages of 6 members is 20, and age of one member is 40, what is the average of the ages of other 5?
- AOption (a)
16
- BOption (b)
20
- COption (c)
25
- DOption (d)
30
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Correct answer
16
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Net deviation from the average must be zero.
Individual excess = 40 − 20 = +20.
To balance this, the other 5 members must have a total deficit of −20.
Average reduction for 5 members = −20 ÷ 5 = −4.
Average of remaining 5 members = 20 − 4 = 16.
∴ The correct answer is 16.
Alternate Method
Given: Average age of 6 members = 20, Age of 1 member = 40.
Formula Used: Sum of observations = Average × Number of observations.
⇒ Total sum of ages of 6 members = 6 × 20 = 120
⇒ Sum of ages of the remaining 5 members = Total sum − Age of one member
⇒ Sum of 5 members = 120 − 40 = 80
⇒ Average age of 5 members = Sum ÷ 5
⇒ Average age of 5 members = 80 ÷ 5 = 16
∴ The correct answer is 16.
Additional Information
Sum of Deviations
The sum of the deviations of all observations from their arithmetic mean is always zero. This property is used to quickly find missing values in a data set.
Weighted Average Formula
When two groups with averages A1 and A2 and sizes n1 and n2 are combined, the combined average is (n1A1 + n2A2) ÷ (n1 + n2).
Effect of Constant Change
If a constant value 'k' is added to or subtracted from every term in a data set, the new average will also increase or decrease by exactly 'k'.