SOLUTION: If I have an overall average of 85% in my class, and the final exam counts for 40% of my final grade, what do I need to get on my final exam to pass the class with above a 70%?

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Question 815627: If I have an overall average of 85% in my class, and the final exam counts for 40% of my final grade, what do I need to get on my final exam to pass the class with above a 70%?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The final exam counts for 40% of your grade (given). So the remainder of the class assignments (hw, quizzes, etc) is 100% - 40% = 60% of your grade.

Let x = grade on the final exam

(weight of exam)*(grade on exam) + (weight of remainder)*(grade of remainder) = desired grade

(0.40)*(x) + (0.60)*(0.85) = 0.70 ... Note: percentages are converted to decimal form

(0.40)*(x) + (0.60)*(0.85) = 0.70

0.40x + 0.51 = 0.70

0.40x = 0.70 - 0.51

0.40x = 0.19

x = 0.19/0.40

x = 0.475

So this means you need to get a 47.5% or higher on the final exam to get a 70% or higher for an overall grade.

Note: the 85% is clearly above 70% (quite significantly too), which explains why you're given so much slack and you can get such a low score on the final (and still get away with a decent grade).

Another Note: your professor may grade on a curve or have other rules for grading (such as dropping the lowest score). It's best to ask the professor directly about questions like this. However, this gives you a basic idea of what you should get.