Question

The head of the math department is studying the student scores on last year's basic skills test. She has determined the median student score was 70%. The upper quartile of the scores was 85%. Approximately what percentage of the students who took the test earned scores between 70% and 85%?

Answer 1

25%

Explanation:

The median score of 70% indicates half of the student scored less than 70%.

An upper quartile of 85% means 3/4 of the students scored less than 85% or, stated in another way, 1/4 of the students scored above or equal to 85%.

From sentence 1, 50% of the students scored below 70%.

From sentence 1, 75% of the students scored below 85%.

The percentage that score between 70% and 85% is 75% - 50% = 25%