Question

Two datasets arranged in descending order are; {8,x , 4,1} and {9,y , 5,2}. If the medians of the two given datasets are equal, what is the value of ( y-x)^2?

Answer 1

1

Explanation:

Median of a dataset is the value at the centre of the dataset after rearrangement.

Given the data {8,x , 4,1}, the median of the set will be two values(x and 4). Since we have two values as the median, we will take their average.

Median of the first data set = x+4/2 ...(1)

For the second dataset {9,y , 5,2}, the median will be y+5/2

Since we are told that the medians of both datasets are equal, we will equate the value of the medians of both datasets as given below;

x+4/2 = y+5/2

cross multiplying;

2(x+4) = 2(y+5)

Dividing both sides by 2 will give;

x+4 = y+5

From the resulting equation;

y-x = 4-5

y-x = -1

(y-x)² = (-1)² = 1