SOLUTION: On five tests, on which scores could range anywhere from 0 to 100, Juan had an average of exactly 88. What is the lowest score Juan could have received on one test?

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Question 234956: On five tests, on which scores could range anywhere from 0 to 100, Juan had an average of exactly 88. What is the lowest score Juan could have received on one test?

Answer by jsmallt9(2063) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Average = Total/(Number of scores)
Therefore, after multiplying both sides by (Number of Scores):
Average*(Number of scores) = Total

With Juan's average on 5 tests this becomes:
88*5 = Total
440 = Total

So the total of Juan's 5 tests must be 440 in order for his average to be 88. If we are looking for the lowest possible score on one test then the other 4 tests would have to be the highest possible (which is 100). Four tests of 100 add up to 400. So the fifth test would have to be a 40 in order for the average to be 88. Anything less than a 40 would mean that there would be no way for all 5 tests to add up to 440.