2012 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 11

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The mean, median, and unique mode of the positive integers 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, are all equal. What is the value of $x$?

$\textbf{(A)}\hspace{.05in}5\qquad\textbf{(B)}\hspace{.05in}6\qquad\textbf{(C)}\hspace{.05in}7\qquad\textbf{(D)}\hspace{.05in}11\qquad\textbf{(E)}\hspace{.05in}12$

Solution

Since there must be an unique mode, we can eliminate answer choices ${\textbf{(A)}\ 5}$ and ${\textbf{(C)}\ 7}$. Now we need to test the remaining answer choices.

Case 1: $x = 6$

Mode: $6$

Median: $6$

Mean: $\frac{37}{7}$

Since the mean does not equal the median or mode, ${\textbf{(B)}\ 6}$ can also be eliminated.

Case 2: $x = 11$

Mode: $6$

Median: $6$

Mean: $6$

We are done with this problem, because we have found when $x = 11$, the condition is satisfied. Therefore, the answer is $\boxed{{\textbf{(D)}\ 11}}$.

See Also

2012 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 10
Followed by
Problem 12
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions