Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We are given a series of 9 numbers and information about the averages of different subsets of these numbers. Our goal is to use this information to find the value of the first number.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The fundamental relationship used here is: Sum of observations = Average × Number of observations.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let the numbers in the series be \(N_1, N_2, \ldots, N_9\).
Information 1: The average of the first 7 numbers is 60.
Sum of the first 7 numbers (\(S_7\)) = \(7 \times 60 = 420\).
\[ N_1 + N_2 + N_3 + N_4 + N_5 + N_6 + N_7 = 420 \]
Information 2: The average of the first 8 numbers is 63.
Sum of the first 8 numbers (\(S_8\)) = \(8 \times 63 = 504\).
\[ N_1 + N_2 + \ldots + N_8 = 504 \]
From this, we can find the 8th number, \(N_8\):
\[ N_8 = S_8 - S_7 = 504 - 420 = 84 \]
Information 3: The 9th number is 11 more than the 8th number.
\[ N_9 = N_8 + 11 = 84 + 11 = 95 \]
Information 4: The average of the 2nd to the 9th numbers is 66.
There are 8 numbers from the 2nd to the 9th (\(N_2, \ldots, N_9\)).
Sum of numbers from 2nd to 9th (\(S_{2-9}\)) = \(8 \times 66 = 528\).
\[ N_2 + N_3 + \ldots + N_9 = 528 \]
Now we have two expressions for sums involving \(N_2\) to \(N_7\):
From \(S_8\), we have \(N_1 + (N_2 + \ldots + N_8) = 504\).
We know \(S_{2-9}\) can be written as \((N_2 + \ldots + N_8) + N_9 = 528\).
Using \(N_9 = 95\), we can find the sum \((N_2 + \ldots + N_8)\):
\[ (N_2 + \ldots + N_8) + 95 = 528 \]
\[ (N_2 + \ldots + N_8) = 528 - 95 = 433 \]
Now substitute this back into the equation for \(S_8\):
\[ N_1 + 433 = 504 \]
\[ N_1 = 504 - 433 = 71 \]
Step 4: Final Answer
The value of the 1st number in the series is 71.