Final answer:
The original total number of students on the honor roll was 168. After the increases, there were 202 students on the honor roll. The percentage increase was approximately 20.2%.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine by what percentage the total number of students on the honor roll increased, we need to calculate the original total, find the new totals with the increased percentages, and then compare the new total to the original.
Last year, there were 80 boys and 88 girls on the honor roll, for a total of 168 students (80 boys + 88 girls).
This year, the number of honor roll boys increased by 15%, which is an additional 12 boys (15% of 80), making the new total 92 boys (80 boys + 12). The number of honor roll girls increased by 25%, which is an additional 22 girls (25% of 88), making the new total 110 girls (88 girls + 22).
Combining the increased numbers, this year there are 202 students on the honor roll (92 boys + 110 girls).
To find out the percentage increase:
Percentage Increase = ((New Total - Original Total) / Original Total) × 100
Percentage Increase = ((202 - 168) / 168) × 100
Percentage Increase = (34 / 168) × 100
Percentage Increase = 20.24%
Rounded to the nearest tenth, the total number of students on the honor roll increased by approximately 20.2%.