Final answer:
The student must score at least 101 points on the third exam to achieve a passing average of 60 for the course.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the score a student needs on the third exam to achieve a final average of 60, we must first understand that an average is found by adding all numbers together and then dividing by the number of entries. In this case, the exams. So, if the first two scores are 24 and 55, we want the sum of all three exams to equal 60 multiplied by the number of exams, which is 3.
The equation to find the needed third exam score (let's call it T) is:
(24 + 55 + T) / 3 = 60
To solve for T, multiply both sides by 3:
24 + 55 + T = 180
Then combine the scores from the first two exams:
79 + T = 180
Finally, subtract 79 from both sides to find T:
T = 180 - 79
T = 101
Therefore, the student must score at least 101 points on the third exam to pass the course with an average of 60.