document.write( "Question 1119691: An average grade of 80 on all exams in a course is needed to earn a B in the course. On her first four exams, Chuck’s grades are 96, 65, 79, and 87. What is the minimum grade that Chuck can receive on the fifth exam to earn a B in the course? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #735302 by greenestamps(13200) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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\n" ); document.write( "When solving a question like this, involving averages of numbers that are all close together, a method that can get you to the answer faster is to compare the given numbers to the desired average.

\n" ); document.write( "In this case, with a desired overall average of 80, the current scores are

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document.write( "96  = +16\r\n" );
document.write( "65  = -15\r\n" );
document.write( "79  = - 1\r\n" );
document.write( "87  = + 7\r\n" );
document.write( "     ----\r\n" );
document.write( "      + 7

\n" ); document.write( "Overall, the current scores have a \"balance\" of +7 compared to the desired average.

\n" ); document.write( "To obtain the desired average (or better), the minimum score on the 5th test must have a \"balance\" of -7.

\n" ); document.write( "So 80-7 = 73 is the minimum score needed on the 5th test to get an overall average of 80 or higher. \n" ); document.write( "

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