Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: 9362
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This problem is another example of an odd one out question that hides a pattern within the digits of each four digit number. Often, exam setters choose a property like the sum of digits being equal or following a particular value. Here, three numbers share the same digit sum while one number does not, and you must identify that different one.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Digit sum patterns are very common in reasoning questions. The method is simply to add the digits of each four digit number and compare the resulting sums. If three numbers give the same total and one gives a different total, the latter is the odd man out. This approach does not require advanced maths, only careful addition.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: For 2543, add the digits: 2 + 5 + 4 + 3 = 14.
Step 2: For 2192, add the digits: 2 + 1 + 9 + 2 = 14.
Step 3: For 3713, add the digits: 3 + 7 + 1 + 3 = 14.
Step 4: For 9362, add the digits: 9 + 3 + 6 + 2 = 20.
Step 5: We see that 2543, 2192 and 3713 all have digit sum 14, while 9362 has digit sum 20. Therefore 9362 is the odd one out.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, we note that if there were any arithmetic or divisibility pattern based on this common digit sum, these three numbers might share it. However, the question only requires us to identify the differing item. The clear split between 14 and 20 shows one number standing apart from the others. No additional complex checks are necessary to confirm that 9362 is the unique element.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
2543 is wrong as the odd one out because it has the same digit sum 14 as two of the other numbers.
2192 is wrong as the odd one out because it also sums to 14 and follows the main pattern.
3713 is wrong as the odd one out because its digit sum equals 14, matching 2543 and 2192.
Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates look only at the first or last two digits or try to identify a pattern based on multiplication of digits. Others do not compute all the digit sums carefully and may mis add one of them, leading to a wrong conclusion. Since this question is built purely on digit sums, careful and accurate addition is essential for solving it correctly.
Final Answer:
The only number whose digit sum is different from the others, and hence the odd one out, is 9362.
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