SAT Math : Data Analysis

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Statistics

The average (arithmetic mean) of m, n and p is 8. If m + n = 15 then p equals:

Possible Answers:

24

15

9

7.5

8

Correct answer:

9

Explanation:

If the arithmetic mean of the three numbers is 8, then the three numbers total 24. We are given m + n, leaving p to equal 24 – 15 = 9.

Example Question #1 : Data Analysis

It takes Johnny 25 minutes to run a loop around the track. He runs a second loop and it takes him 30 minutes. If the track is 5.5 miles long, what is his average speed in miles per hour?

Possible Answers:

11

10

13

12

Correct answer:

12

Explanation:

The minutes must be converted to hours which gives 11/12 hours. The total distance he runs is 11 miles. 11/(11/12) = 12.

Example Question #2 : Statistics

I recently joined a bowling team. Each night we play three games. During my first two games I scored a 112 and 134, what must I score on my next game to ensure my average for that night will be a 132?

 

 

Possible Answers:

150

140

175

132

Correct answer:

150

Explanation:

To find the average you add all the games and divide by the number of games. In this case we have 112 + 134 + x = 246 + x. If we divide by 3 and set our answer to 132, we can solve for x by cross multiplying and solving algebraically. We can also solve this problem using substitution.

 

 

 

Example Question #2 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

For the fall semester, three quizzes were given, a mid-term exam, and a final exam.  To determine a final grade, the mid-term was worth three times as much as a quiz and the final was worth five times as much as a quiz.  If Jonuse scored 85, 72 and 81 on the quizzes, 79 on the mid-term and 92 on the final exam, what was his average for the course?

 

Possible Answers:

79

85

95

72

82

Correct answer:

85

Explanation:

The formula for a weighted average is the sum of the weight x values divided by the sum of the weights.  Thus, for the above situation:

Average = (1 x 85 + 1 x 72 + 1 x 81 + 3 x 79 + 5 x 92) / ( 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 5)

= 935 / 11 = 85.

Example Question #1 : Statistics

If the average of 5k and 3l is equal to 50% of 6l, what is the value of  k/l ?

 

Possible Answers:

5/9

3/5

9/5

5/3

Correct answer:

3/5

Explanation:

Since the first part of the equation is the average of 5k and 3l, and there’s two terms, we put 5k plus 3l over 2. This equals 50% of 4l, so we put 6l over 2 so they have common denominators. We can then set 5k+3l equal to 6l. Next, we subtract the 3l on the left from the 6l on the right, giving us 5k=3l. To get the value of k divided by l, we divide 3l by 5, giving us k= 3/5 l. Last we divide by l, to give us our answer 3/5.

 

 

Example Question #1 : Statistics

The chart above lists the ages and heights of all the cousins in the Brenner family.  What is the average age of the female Brenner cousins?

Possible Answers:

16.4

18.7

16.2

17.1

19.3

Correct answer:

16.2

Explanation:

There are five female cousins whose ages are 14, 22, 13, 12, and 20. 

Add these up and divide by 5.

14 + 22 + 13 + 12 +20 = 81

81 / 5 = 16.2

Example Question #1 : Statistics

Find the arithmetic mean of the data set:

13, 21, 25, 37, 51, 52, 58, 83

Possible Answers:

42.5

83

13

70

44

Correct answer:

42.5

Explanation:

13 is the minimum value.  83 is the maximum value.  70 is the range.  44 is the median.

In order to find the arithmetic mean, add the numbers together and divide by the number of numbers.

(13+21+25+37+51+52+58+83)/8 = 340/8 = 42.5

Example Question #1 : Statistics

Ten students take an exam and score the following grades:

97

86

67

75

89

95

93

75

81

88

 

What is the mean score on the exam?

Possible Answers:

88

84.6

83.2

85

83.2

Correct answer:

84.6

Explanation:

The mean, or average, score is determined by adding up all the scores and then dividing by the total number of tests:

(97+86+67+75+89+95+93+75+81+88) / 10 = 846 / 10 = 84.6

Example Question #6 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

Find the mean in a given set of numbers:

1, 4, 8, 17, 8, 8, 15, 21, 32, 17

Possible Answers:

14.9

31

8

13.1

None of these

Correct answer:

13.1

Explanation:

In order to find the mean, add all the numbers together (131) and divide by the number of items (10) = 13.1

Example Question #11 : How To Find Arithmetic Mean

In a certain game, each of five players received a score between 0 and 100 inclusive. If their average (arithmetic mean) score was 50, what is the greatest possible number of the five players who could have received a score of 75?

Possible Answers:

Four

None

Two

Five

Three

Correct answer:

Three

Explanation:

The question tells us that 50 was the average score of the 5 players, which means that 50 = total points / 5. So, the total points scored in the game must be 5 * 50 = 250.

Going through the answer choices, suppose all five players scored 75—then the total points would be 75 + 75 + 75 + 75 + 75 = 375, which is not 250, so five is not the correct answer.

Suppose four of the five players scored a 75—then the total points for players a, b, c, and d would be 75 + 75 + 75 + 75 = 300, and player e would have to score -50 for the total points to equal 250. Since player e's score cannot equal –50 (the problem says that scores are between 0 and 100), four is not the correct answer.

Now suppose that three of the four players scored a 75—then the total points for players a, b, and c would be 75 + 75 + 75 = 225, meaning d + e would have to equal 25 for the total points to equal 250. This scenario is possible in the game, if, for example, player d scored 12 points and player e scored 13 points. Therefore the greatest possible number of the 5 players who could have scored a 75 is three.

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