Question:

The average of a non-decreasing sequence of N numbers \(a_1,a_2,…,a_N\) is 300.If \(a_1\) is replaced by \(6a_1\), the new average becomes 400.Then,the number of possible values of \(a_1\) is

Updated On: Sep 30, 2024
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Correct Answer: 14

Approach Solution - 1

The correct answer is: 14
Given: 
Average of the non-decreasing sequence of N numbers, \(a_1,a_2, ...,a_N=300 \)
When \(a_1\) is replaced by \(6a_1\)
New average=400 
We know that the average of N numbers is given by the sum of the numbers divided by N: 
Sum of numbers=Average × Number of terms 
Original sum of numbers=300N 
New sum of numbers=400N 
Since the sequence is non-decreasing, we can say: 
\(a_1+a_2+ ... +a_N=300N\) 
\(6a_1+a_2+...+a_N=400N\) 
Subtracting the first equation from the second equation gives: 
\(5a_1 = 100N \)
Dividing both sides by 5: 
\(a_1=20N \)
This shows that the value of a1 is directly proportional to N. 
Now,let's analyze the possible values of N: 
Since \(a_1\) represents the smallest term in the sequence,it must be a positive integer.Therefore,for \(a_1=20N\) to be a positive integer,N must be a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. 
However,N cannot be equal to 1,as the given sequence is non-decreasing, and a sequence with a single term cannot be non-decreasing. Therefore,N must be greater than 1. 
Since we are looking for the number of possible values of \(a_1\),we need to consider the possible values of N. 
Possible values of N: 2, 3, 4, ..., 15 
For each value of N, we can calculate the corresponding value of \(a_1\) using \(a_1=20N\)
Hence, the possible values of \(a_1\) are: 40, 60, 80, ..., 300 
In total,there are 14 possible values of a1 that satisfy the given conditions. 
Therefore, the number of possible values of \(a_1\) is 14.
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Approach Solution -2

Given :
a1 + a2 + …… + aN = 300 N
6a1 + a2 + ….. + aN = 400 N
Now , we have
5a1 = 100 N
a1 = 200 N
As per the question , given sequence of number is non-decreasing sequence.
So , N can have values from 2 to 15
Now, N is not equal to 1, because if N = 1, then average of N numbers is 300 which wouldn't satisfy.
So, N can take values from 2 to 15 , i.e 14 values
Therefore, the correct answer is 14 values.

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