Bunuel
Each student at a certain Mathematics exam either solved the hardest problem correctly or incorrectly. What percent of the examinees solved the hardest problem correctly?
(1) The average score of those students who solved the hardest problem correctly was 12 more than the average score of all students.
(2) The average score of those students who solved the hardest problem incorrectly was 3 less than the average score of all students.
Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level QuestionsFirst, let's combine the information as the answer is obviously either C or E.
Let the percent of examinees who solved the hardest problem correctly be X. Then (1-X) percent did not solve it correctly.
Think of this as the scenario where we deduct the average score from every examinee. Then the students in statement 1 have an average score of 12, the students in statement 2 have an average score of -3. The total average would be 0. With this information we can come up with the equation: 12 * X - 3*(1 - X) = 0.
This equation uses the average score as a reference.
We may solve for X with the equation above so combined sufficient.
Ans: C