Question

The mean length of a group of fish is 14.2 inches. A fish that is 41 inches long

joins the group. How does this fish's length affect the mean?
A. The new mean length will be less than 14.2 inches.
B. The new mean length will still be 14.2 inches.
C. The new mean length will be 41 inches.
D. The new mean length will be greater than 14.2 inches.

Answer 1

When a fish that is 41 inches long joins a group of fish with a mean length of 14.2 inches, it will significantly increase the mean length of the group. The new mean length will be greater than 14.2 inches.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a fish that is 41 inches long joins a group of fish with a mean length of 14.2 inches, it will significantly increase the mean length of the group. To find the new mean, we add the length of the new fish to the sum of the lengths of the original group and divide by the total number of fish in the group.

Let's say the original group has n fish and the sum of their lengths is S. The mean length of the original group is then given by S/n = 14.2 inches.

When the new fish joins the group, the new sum of the lengths of all the fish in the group is S + 41 inches. The total number of fish in the group is now n + 1. Therefore, the new mean length is (S + 41)/(n + 1), which will be greater than 14.2 inches.

So, the correct answer is D. The new mean length will be greater than 14.2 inches.