Question

So far this semester, Tammy is averaging a score of 80.1 points on math tests, which is 7.6% higher than her average last semester. What was the average of her scores last semester? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

A) 74.5
B) 75.3
C) 74.8
D) 73.6

Answer 1

Tammy's average score last semester can be found by dividing her current average of 80.1 by 1.076, which, after rounding to the nearest tenth, is approximately 74.5 points. Correct option is (A) 74.5.

Step-by-step explanation:

We can determine Tammy's average score from last semester by setting up an equation to solve for her previous average. Since we know that her current average of 80.1 points is 7.6% higher than her average last semester, we can represent her last semester's average (let's call it A) as follows:

80.1 = A + (7.6% of A)
80.1 = A + 0.076A
80.1 = 1.076A

To find her previous average, we calculate:

A = 80.1 / 1.076
A ≈ 74.4

When we round to the nearest tenth, the average of her scores last semester was approximately 74.5 points.

The answer to Tammy's question is therefore option (A) 74.5.