The sum of four numbers is 1214\(_5\). What is the average expressed in base five?

  • A 114
  • B 141
  • C 401
  • D 411

The correct answer is B. 141

To find the average of four numbers, we divide their sum by the total number of numbers. In this case, the sum is \(1214_5\) and there are four numbers.

Let's first convert \(1214_5\) to base 10 to perform the calculation:

\[1214_5 = 1 \cdot 5^3 + 2 \cdot 5^2 + 1 \cdot 5^1 + 4 \cdot 5^0 = 125 + 50 + 5 + 4 = 184.\)

Now, divide the sum by the total number of numbers (which is 4):

Average = \(\frac{184}{4} = 46.\)

Now, let's convert the average back to base 5:

We want to express 46 in base 5.

Divide 46 by 5:

\[

\begin{align}

46 \div 5 &= 9 \, \text{remainder} \, 1 \\

9 \div 5 &= 1 \, \text{remainder} \, 4 \\

1 \div 5 &= 0 \, \text{remainder} \, 1 \\

\end{align}

\)

Reading the remainders in reverse order, we get \(141_5\).

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