Final answer:
The team's total score (S) for the cheerleading competition can be found by multiplying the mean score of 7.25 by the number of categories, which is 8, resulting in a total score of 58.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the team's total score (S) in the cheerleading competition, where the mean score is 7.25 across eight categories, you can set up the equation using the formula for the mean:
Mean = (Total Sum of Scores) / (Number of Categories)
Since the mean is 7.25 and there are eight categories, the equation will be:
7.25 = S / 8
To find S, multiply both sides of the equation by 8:
7.25 * 8 = S
S = 58
Therefore, the team's total score for the eight categories is 58.