Final answer:
To find the maximum number of marks for the test, one must add the student's score to the additional amount needed to pass, which gives the total amount representing 40% of the maximum marks. Dividing this total by 0.40 gives the maximum marks for the test, which in this case is 350 marks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student who scored 80 marks and needed an additional 60 marks to pass has essentially fallen short of the passing threshold by 60 marks. To determine the maximum number of marks for the test, we first need to establish what 40% of the total marks would be, as this is the passing percentage. Since the student missed this passing mark by 60 marks, we add these 60 marks to the 80 marks that were scored to find out what 40% of the total marks would amount to.
80 marks (student's score) + 60 marks (amount needed to pass) = 140 marks (40% of total marks)
From this, we can calculate the total number of marks on the test by using the following equation where T represents the total marks:
- 0.40 × T = 140 marks
- T = 140 marks ÷ 0.40
- T = 350 marks
Therefore, the maximum number of marks for the test is 350 marks.