Math Problem Statement

An MBA studying student, calculates his cumulative average after every test. Banking & Accounting were his last 2 tests. 83 marks in Banking increased his average by 2. 75 marks in Accounting further increased his average by 1. Reasoning is the next test; if he gets 51 in Reasoning, what will be his average?

Solution

Let's solve this step by step.

Step 1: Define the variables

  • Let xx be the student's initial average before the Banking test.
  • Let nn be the number of tests taken before the Banking test.

Step 2: Calculate the new average after the Banking test

After scoring 83 in the Banking test, the average increases by 2: New average after Banking test=x+2\text{New average after Banking test} = x + 2 The total number of tests now is n+1n + 1.

The equation for the new average is: nx+83n+1=x+2\frac{nx + 83}{n+1} = x + 2

Step 3: Solve the equation for nn and xx

Multiply both sides by n+1n + 1 to get rid of the fraction: nx+83=(x+2)(n+1)nx + 83 = (x + 2)(n + 1) Expanding the right-hand side: nx+83=nx+n+2x+2nx + 83 = nx + n + 2x + 2 Cancel out nxnx from both sides: 83=n+2x+283 = n + 2x + 2 Simplifying further: n+2x=81(Equation 1)n + 2x = 81 \quad \text{(Equation 1)}

Step 4: Calculate the new average after the Accounting test

After scoring 75 in Accounting, the average increases by 1: New average after Accounting test=x+3\text{New average after Accounting test} = x + 3 The total number of tests is now n+2n + 2.

The equation for the new average is: nx+83+75n+2=x+3\frac{nx + 83 + 75}{n+2} = x + 3 Simplify the equation: nx+158n+2=x+3\frac{nx + 158}{n+2} = x + 3

Multiply both sides by n+2n + 2: nx+158=(x+3)(n+2)nx + 158 = (x + 3)(n + 2) Expanding the right-hand side: nx+158=nx+3n+2x+6nx + 158 = nx + 3n + 2x + 6 Cancel out nxnx from both sides: 158=3n+2x+6158 = 3n + 2x + 6 Simplify further: 3n+2x=152(Equation 2)3n + 2x = 152 \quad \text{(Equation 2)}

Step 5: Solve the system of equations

We now have two equations:

  1. n+2x=81n + 2x = 81
  2. 3n+2x=1523n + 2x = 152

Subtract Equation 1 from Equation 2: (3n+2x)(n+2x)=15281(3n + 2x) - (n + 2x) = 152 - 81 Simplifying: 2n=712n = 71 n=35.5n = 35.5 Substitute n=35.5n = 35.5 into Equation 1: 35.5+2x=8135.5 + 2x = 81 2x=45.52x = 45.5 x=22.75x = 22.75

Step 6: Calculate the average after the Reasoning test

The student will have taken n+3=38.5n + 3 = 38.5 tests, and the total marks will be: Total marks=nx+83+75+51\text{Total marks} = nx + 83 + 75 + 51 New average=35.5×22.75+83+75+5138.5\text{New average} = \frac{35.5 \times 22.75 + 83 + 75 + 51}{38.5} Calculate: Total marks=35.5×22.75+83+75+51=808.125+209=1017.125\text{Total marks} = 35.5 \times 22.75 + 83 + 75 + 51 = 808.125 + 209 = 1017.125 New average=1017.12538.526.41\text{New average} = \frac{1017.125}{38.5} \approx 26.41

Thus, the student's new average after the Reasoning test would be approximately 26.41.

Would you like further details or clarifications? Here are some related questions:

  1. How do different types of averages (mean, median, mode) apply to test scores?
  2. Can this method be used to calculate cumulative GPA?
  3. How does the number of tests affect the impact of each new score on the average?
  4. What is the difference between weighted and unweighted averages?
  5. How can averages be misleading in different contexts?

Tip: Always double-check calculations, especially when working with averages and cumulative data, to ensure accuracy.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Arithmetic Mean
Equations
Average Calculation

Formulas

Average formula
Equation solving techniques

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

High School