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The average of 5 consecutive numbers, in increasing order is n. If the next three numbers are also included, the average will:
increase by 1
remain the same
increase by 2
increase by 1.5
increase by 1.5
For a sequence of consecutive integers, adding k consecutive numbers after the original set increases the average by k/2. Here k=3, so the average increases by 3/2=1.5.
Average of 5 consecutive numbers is n. The next 3 consecutive numbers are added.
Average=kтИСxiтАЛтАЛ
For a sequence of consecutive integers, adding k consecutive numbers after the original set increases the average by k/2. Here k=3, so the average increases by 3/2=1.5.
Students often assume the average increases by 1 or 2, forgetting that the total number of terms changes from 5 to 8, which redistributes the sum.
Define initial sequence
Let the 5 consecutive numbers be x,x+1,x+2,x+3,x+4. Their sum is 5x+10. The average n is 55x+10тАЛ=x+2.
n=x+2
Add next three numbers
The next three numbers are x+5,x+6,x+7. The total sum for the 8 numbers is (5x+10)+(x+5+x+6+x+7)=8x+28.
SumnewтАЛ=8x+28
Calculate new average
The new average of the 8 numbers is 88x+28тАЛ=x+3.5.
AveragenewтАЛ=x+3.5
Determine increase
The difference between the new average and the old average is (x+3.5)тИТ(x+2)=1.5.
Difference=1.5
D is correct because the average increases from x+2 to x+3.5, resulting in an increase of 1.5.
This concept is a specific case of the property: for an arithmetic progression of k terms, adding m consecutive terms shifts the average by 2mтАЛ├Чd, where d is the common difference.