Five pieces of wood have an average length (arithmetic mean) of 124 centimeters and a median length of 140 centimeters. What is the maximum length, in centimeters, of the shortest piece of wood?

A) 90
B) 100
C) 110
D) 130
E) 140

Average 124 means

a+b+c+d+e = 124*5 = 620

Assume a,b,c,d,e is the acending order, then since 140 is the median, c will be 140.

Smallest piece will be at its maximum length when pieced D and E are at their smallest possible (which will be 140 here because of the order) and the A and B are equal.

So,

a+a+140+140+140 = 620

2a = 620-420 = 200
a=100

Pieces will be

100 100 140 140 140.

B. 100

Awesome! That is the correct answer.