SOLUTION: A total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a math test. The 35 juniors attained an average score of 80 while the 15 seniors attained an average of 70. What was the average score

Algebra.Com
Question 28831: A total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a math test. The 35 juniors attained an average score of 80 while the 15 seniors attained an average of 70. What was the average score for all 50 students who took the test?
Answer by josmiceli(19441)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
these are formulas for averages
(total of juniors scores) / 35 = 80
(total of seniors scores) / 15 = 70
cross-multiply each equation
[1] total of juniors scores = 35*80
[2] total of seniors scores = 15*70
----------
this is the formula for the whole group average
(total of scores for both juniors and seniors) / 50 = average score
substituting [1] & [2] from above
average score = (35*80 + 15*70) / 50
divide top & bottom by 5
average score = (7*80 + 3*70) / 10
divide top & bottom by 10
average score = (7*8 + 3*7) / 1
average score = 56 + 21 = 77
this makes sense, because since more got 80, the average would be
shifted toward them

RELATED QUESTIONS

a total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a mathematics test. the 35 juniors attained... (answered by checkley71)
A total of 50 juniors and seniors took a math test. The 35 juniors attained an average of (answered by solver91311)
What is the average? A total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a math test. The 35... (answered by richwmiller)
a total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a math test. the 35 juniors attained an... (answered by josmiceli)
A total of 50 juniors & seniors were given a math test. The 35 juniors attained an... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)
A total of juniors and seniors were given a math test. The 35 juniors attained an... (answered by Boreal,satyareddy22)
the total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a math test. the 35 juniors averaged a... (answered by checkley77,josmiceli)
A total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a mathematics test. The 35 juniors attained (answered by bucky)
A total of 50 juniors and seniors were given a mathematics test. 35 juniors attained an... (answered by Theo)