Question: The mean of 5 numbers is 11.the numbers are in ratio of 1:2:3:4:5. Find the smallest number.
Let the samllest number be n.
The numbers are in the ratio 1:2:3:4:5.
So the 5 numbers are: n, 2n, 3n, 4n, 5n.
Sum of the 5 numbers is n + 2n + 3n + 4n + 5n = 15n
So mean of these 5 numbers is 15n/5 = 3n.
But mean = 11 (given)Therefore 3n = 11. i.e. n = 11/3
Answer: smallest number is 3 2/3