SAT Math : Statistics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Statistics

A, B, C, D, and E are integers such that A < B < C < D < E. If B is the average of A and C, and D is the average of C and E, what is the average of B and D?

Possible Answers:

(A + E)/4

(E)/2

(A + 2C + E)/4

(A + 2C + E)/2

(2A + C + 2E)/2

Correct answer:

(A + 2C + E)/4

Explanation:

The average of two numbers can be calculated as the sum of those numbers divided by 2. B would thus be calculated as (C)/2, and D would be calculated as (E)/2. To find the average of those values, you would add them up and divide by 2:

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Example Question #1 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

The average (arithmetic mean) of m, n and p is 8. If m + n = 15 then p equals:

Possible Answers:

7.5

24

9

15

8

Correct answer:

9

Explanation:

If the arithmetic mean of the three numbers is 8, then the three numbers total 24. We are given m + n, leaving p to equal 24 – 15 = 9.

Example Question #2 : Statistics

It takes Johnny 25 minutes to run a loop around the track. He runs a second loop and it takes him 30 minutes. If the track is 5.5 miles long, what is his average speed in miles per hour?

Possible Answers:

13

11

12

10

Correct answer:

12

Explanation:

The minutes must be converted to hours which gives 11/12 hours. The total distance he runs is 11 miles. 11/(11/12) = 12.

Example Question #2 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

I recently joined a bowling team. Each night we play three games. During my first two games I scored a 112 and 134, what must I score on my next game to ensure my average for that night will be a 132?

 

 

Possible Answers:

175

140

132

150

Correct answer:

150

Explanation:

To find the average you add all the games and divide by the number of games. In this case we have 112 + 134 + x = 246 + x. If we divide by 3 and set our answer to 132, we can solve for x by cross multiplying and solving algebraically. We can also solve this problem using substitution.

 

 

 

Example Question #2 : Statistics

For the fall semester, three quizzes were given, a mid-term exam, and a final exam.  To determine a final grade, the mid-term was worth three times as much as a quiz and the final was worth five times as much as a quiz.  If Jonuse scored 85, 72 and 81 on the quizzes, 79 on the mid-term and 92 on the final exam, what was his average for the course?

 

Possible Answers:

72

79

95

85

82

Correct answer:

85

Explanation:

The formula for a weighted average is the sum of the weight x values divided by the sum of the weights.  Thus, for the above situation:

Average = (1 x 85 + 1 x 72 + 1 x 81 + 3 x 79 + 5 x 92) / ( 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 5)

= 935 / 11 = 85.

Example Question #2 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

If the average of 5k and 3l is equal to 50% of 6l, what is the value of  k/l ?

 

Possible Answers:

5/9

9/5

3/5

5/3

Correct answer:

3/5

Explanation:

Since the first part of the equation is the average of 5k and 3l, and there’s two terms, we put 5k plus 3l over 2. This equals 50% of 4l, so we put 6l over 2 so they have common denominators. We can then set 5k+3l equal to 6l. Next, we subtract the 3l on the left from the 6l on the right, giving us 5k=3l. To get the value of k divided by l, we divide 3l by 5, giving us k= 3/5 l. Last we divide by l, to give us our answer 3/5.

 

 

Example Question #3 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

The chart above lists the ages and heights of all the cousins in the Brenner family.  What is the average age of the female Brenner cousins?

Possible Answers:

19.3

16.4

18.7

17.1

16.2

Correct answer:

16.2

Explanation:

There are five female cousins whose ages are 14, 22, 13, 12, and 20. 

Add these up and divide by 5.

14 + 22 + 13 + 12 +20 = 81

81 / 5 = 16.2

Example Question #4 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

Find the arithmetic mean of the data set:

13, 21, 25, 37, 51, 52, 58, 83

Possible Answers:

42.5

70

44

83

13

Correct answer:

42.5

Explanation:

13 is the minimum value.  83 is the maximum value.  70 is the range.  44 is the median.

In order to find the arithmetic mean, add the numbers together and divide by the number of numbers.

(13+21+25+37+51+52+58+83)/8 = 340/8 = 42.5

Example Question #4 : Statistics

Ten students take an exam and score the following grades:

97

86

67

75

89

95

93

75

81

88

 

What is the mean score on the exam?

Possible Answers:

88

84.6

83.2

83.2

85

Correct answer:

84.6

Explanation:

The mean, or average, score is determined by adding up all the scores and then dividing by the total number of tests:

(97+86+67+75+89+95+93+75+81+88) / 10 = 846 / 10 = 84.6

Example Question #5 : Statistics

Find the mean in a given set of numbers:

1, 4, 8, 17, 8, 8, 15, 21, 32, 17

Possible Answers:

14.9

8

31

None of these

13.1

Correct answer:

13.1

Explanation:

In order to find the mean, add all the numbers together (131) and divide by the number of items (10) = 13.1

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