Set A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, s}
Which of the following possible values for s would cause Set A to have the smallest standard deviation?  Select
A) 1  B) 2.5  C) 3  D) 3.5  E) 7
I agree. The mean of the set s=1,2,3,4,5,6 is 3.5 . Now if we add one extra number to the set, in order for the standard deviation to be minimum, that number must be as close as possible to the original set (1,2,3,4,5,6). Therefore we have to choose the number closest to 3,5 from the options we have, leaving D as the best choice.   Answer 3.5.
<result>D</result>
Set A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, s}
Which of the following possible values for s would cause Set A to have the smallest standard deviation?