Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: 75
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question checks the basic concept of arithmetic mean, which is widely used to summarise marks in examinations. Understanding how to compute the average of a set of values is a foundational aptitude skill for many competitive exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Marks in five subjects are 76, 65, 82, 67 and 85.
- Each subject carries 100 marks.
- All subjects are weighted equally in the average.
- We assume no subject is counted more than once.
Concept / Approach:
The average (arithmetic mean) of a set of observations is defined as:
Average = (Sum of all observations) / (Number of observations)
Here, the observations are the marks scored by David in the five subjects.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write down the marks: 76, 65, 82, 67, 85.Step 2: Find the sum: 76 + 65 + 82 + 67 + 85.Step 3: Compute the sum: 76 + 65 = 141, 141 + 82 = 223, 223 + 67 = 290, 290 + 85 = 375.Step 4: Number of subjects = 5.Step 5: Average marks = 375 / 5 = 75.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can approximate to verify: the marks are mostly around the low to mid seventies. Taking a rough average around that region, 75 is reasonable. A quick mental check of 5 multiplied by 75 gives 375, which matches the sum of the marks, confirming the calculation.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- 68: This would correspond to a much lower total of 68 * 5 = 340, which is less than the actual total of 375.
- 65: This is even lower, giving a total of 325, clearly not equal to the given sum.
- 60: This would give a total of only 300, far from 375, so it cannot be correct.
Common Pitfalls:
- Forgetting to include one of the subjects in the total sum can lead to an incorrect average.
- Dividing by the wrong number of subjects, for example dividing by 4 instead of 5, is another typical mistake.
- Some students mistakenly use the highest or lowest mark instead of computing the mean.
Final Answer:
The correct average marks scored by David across the five subjects is 75.
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