Question

The average of the first 3 weights was 14 pounds. The average of the next 7 was 4 pounds. What was the overall average of the weights?

Answer 1

`Average = 10`

Explanation:

Given

`First\ Three = 14` --- Average

`Next\ Seven= 4` --- Average

Required

Determine the overall average

Represent the sum of the first three with x.

So:

`(x)/(3) = 14`

Solve for x

`x = 14 * 3`

`x = 42`

Represent the sum of the next seven with y.

So:

`(y)/(7) = 4`

Solve for y

`y = 4 * 7`

`y = 28`

The overall average is calculated as thus:

`Average = (x + y)/(7)`

`Average = (42 + 28)/(7)`

`Average = (70)/(7)`

`Average = 10`