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Problem-Solving and Data Analysis Difficulty: Medium
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Data set A has 15 values and is represented by the dot plot shown. Data set B is created by adding 46 to each of the values in data set A. Which of the following correctly compares the medians and the ranges of data sets A and B?

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Explanation

Choice A is correct. The median is the middle value in a data set when the data are arranged in order from least to greatest. Since there are 15 values in data set A, the median is the 8th value. The 8th value is 23, so the median of data set A is 23. The range is found by subtracting the minimum value in a data set from the maximum value. The minimum value in data set A is 22 and the maximum value is 26. Therefore, the range of data set A is 26-22, or 4. It’s given that data set B is created by adding 46 to each of the values in data set A. Therefore, the 8th value in data set B is 23+46, or 69, so the median of data set B is 69. The minimum value in data set B is 22+46, or 68, and the maximum value is 26+46, or 72. Therefore, the range of data set B is 72-68, or 4. Since the median of data set A is 23, and the median of data set B is 69, the median of data set B is greater than the median of data set A. Since the ranges of data sets A and B are both 4, the range of data set B is equal to the range of data set A.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice C is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.