Bunuel
The average (arithmetic mean) score of b quizzes for a group of students is 6.4. When one quiz score is discarded, the average of the remaining quiz scores becomes 4.8. What is the discarded quiz score?
A. 1.6b + 24
B. 1.6b – 4.8
C. 1.6b + 4.8
D. 6.4b – 24
E. 6.4b +4.8
A*n = S
First set of scores
A = 6.4, n = b
Sum, S = 6.4b
Second set, one quiz discarded
A = 4.8, n = (b - 1)
Sum, S = 4.8(b - 1) = (4.8b - 4.8)
The difference in sums is the discarded score:
6.4b - (4.8b - 4.8) =
6.4b - 4.8b + 4.8 =
1.6b + 4.8
Answer C
Algebra is faster, but if you're really stuck, assign values.
(Average, A) * (number of terms,n) = Sum, S
Let b = 2
Then the sum for the first set of scores is A*n = S: (6.4 * 2) = 12.8
One score is removed. Number, n, of scores is now (2-1)= 1
Sum for second set of scores:(4.8 * 1) = 4.8
The score that was removed is
(Sum1 - Sum 2) = (12.8 - 4.8) = 8
With b = 2, find the answer that yields 8
Discard A and E (they are huge)
Discard B and D (with a little mental math, it's clear they're negative)
Answer C by POE. CHECK
C. 1.6b + 4.8
(1.6)(2) + 4.8 = (3.2 + 4.8) = 8 MATCH
Answer C