A variable X takes values 0, 0, 2, 6, 12, 20, , n(n-1) with frequencies nC0, nC1, nC2, nC3, nC4, nC5, , nCn, respectively. If the mean of this data is 60, then its median is :
- 56
- 42
- 72
- 90
Answer
(1) 56
Solution
The values are k(k-1) with frequency nCk, k=0, 1, , n; total frequency N= nCk=2n.
k(k-1) nCk=n(n-1) n-2Ck-2
k(k-1) nCk=n(n-1) 2n-2
Mean = n(n-1)2n-22n= n(n-1)4=60 n(n-1)=240 n=16
N=216=65536 (even), values in increasing order median = mean of the 32768th and 32769th observations
Cumulative frequency up to k=7: k=0716Ck= 216-16C82= 65536-128702=26333<32768
Up to k=8: 26333+12870=39203>32769
both middle observations correspond to k=8
Median =8 7=56
Answer: (1)