Six families in Indira Nagar have 7, 8, 10, 13, 6, and 10 members. If 1 member from each family moves to a hostel, what is the new average family size?
Correct Answer: 8
Introduction / Context:When the same increment or decrement is applied to each group in a collection, the effect on the overall average is straightforward. Here, one member leaves each family, reducing each family's size by 1.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Original sizes: 7, 8, 10, 13, 6, 10
- Six families total
- One member leaves each family
Concept / Approach:Subtract 1 from each family, sum the new sizes, and divide by 6. Alternatively, compute the original average and then subtract 1 directly from the average (since all groups change equally).
Step-by-Step Solution:
Original sum = 7 + 8 + 10 + 13 + 6 + 10 = 54 After one leaves each: new sum = 54 - 6 = 48 New average = 48 / 6 = 8Verification / Alternative check:Original average = 54 / 6 = 9. Decreasing each family by 1 reduces the average by 1 ⇒ 9 - 1 = 8. Matches the computed value.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- 9: That was the original average, not the new one.
- 10 and 13: Both exceed the feasible mean after uniform reduction.
- None of these: A correct option exists (8).
Common Pitfalls:Subtracting only 1 in total rather than 1 per family (which would undercount the reduction).
Final Answer:8