The deviations from the mean of a set of numbers are \((k+3)^{2}, (k+7), -2, \text{k and (} k+2)^{2}\), where k is a constant. Find the value of k.

The deviations from the mean of a set of numbers are \((k+3)^{2}, (k+7), -2, \text{k and (} k+2)^{2}\), where k is a constant. Find the value of k.

Answer Details

The mean of a set of numbers is the sum of the numbers divided by the total number of numbers. If we have a set of numbers, the deviations from the mean are obtained by subtracting the mean from each number. In this case, we are given the deviations from the mean of a set of numbers, and we need to find the value of k. Let's start by using the fact that the sum of the deviations from the mean is equal to zero. That is: \[(k+3)^2 + (k+7) - 2 + k + (k+2)^2 = 0\] Expanding the squares, we get: \[k^2 + 6k + 9 + k + 7 - 2 + k + k^2 + 4k + 4 = 0\] Simplifying, we obtain: \[2k^2 + 12k + 18 = 0\] Dividing both sides by 2, we get: \[k^2 + 6k + 9 = 0\] This is a quadratic equation that can be factored as: \[(k + 3)^2 = 0\] Therefore, the only solution is: \[k = -3\] So the answer is -3.