To divide the numbers into 5 groups as evenly as possible, taking one number from each group (A-E), we need to carefully select numbers to ensure that the sum of each group is as close as possible.

Step 1: List the numbers from each group

• Group A: -5, -5, -3, 1
• Group B: 2, 5.5, 7.6, 7.9
• Group C: 8.5, 11.3, 13, 15
• Group D: 15, 17, 18, 18
• Group E: 19, 20, 25, 30

Step 2: Create combinations to form 5 groups

Group 1:

• A: -5
• B: 2
• C: 8.5
• D: 18
• E: 30
• Sum: $-5 + 2 + 8.5 + 18 + 30 = 53.5$

Group 2:

• A: -5
• B: 5.5
• C: 13
• D: 17
• E: 25
• Sum: $-5 + 5.5 + 13 + 17 + 25 = 55.5$

Group 3:

• A: -3
• B: 7.6
• C: 15
• D: 15
• E: 20
• Sum: $-3 + 7.6 + 15 + 15 + 20 = 54.6$

Group 4:

• A: 1
• B: 7.9
• C: 11.3
• D: 18
• E: 19
• Sum: $1 + 7.9 + 11.3 + 18 + 19 = 57.2$

Group 5:

• A: -5
• B: 7.6
• C: 15
• D: 17
• E: 19
• Sum: $-5 + 7.6 + 15 + 17 + 19 = 53.6$

Step 3: Evaluate

The sums of the groups are as follows:

• Group 1: 53.5
• Group 2: 55.5
• Group 3: 54.6
• Group 4: 57.2
• Group 5: 53.6

These groups are fairly evenly distributed, with sums ranging from 53.5 to 57.2.

Would you like to see the steps or further details? Here are 5 related questions:

1. How would the groups change if you wanted the smallest possible range in sums?
2. Can you calculate the average of all numbers used in the groups?
3. What if you had to create 4 groups instead of 5? How would the grouping change?
4. Could we find different groupings that yield more evenly distributed sums?
5. What happens if we swap a few numbers between the groups? How would that affect the balance?

Tip: Always verify that each group’s sum is within the desired range when balancing sets of numbers in groupings.