Expert: Abe Mantell - 1/17/2005

Question
Question:
Average of Test Scores in Class R

Average score for the boys 90
Average score for the girls 81
Average score for the class 84

Which is greater, Colum A or Colum B?

Colum A
The number of boys in the class who took the test

Colum B
The number of girls in the class who took the test

--Hi and I really appreciate that you help me with this question. First of all, can I know the number of the test takers from the average score they achieved? If so, how do I solve this question with that information? Thank you in advance--

JJ  

Answer
Hello JJ,

Since the average for the class is closer to the
average for the girls, there must be more girls
in the class than boys...so "Column B"

There is no way to know the exact number of students
(boys or girls) without more info...the best we can do
is figure out the percentage or ratio of each...which is
1/3 boys and 2/3 girls...

Abe