All questions
Question 1
In a data set of 20 values, the mean is 50 and the median is 48. If the 5 largest values are each decreased by 8, what is the new mean?
- 48.0 (correct answer)
- 48.5
- 49.0
- 49.5
Explanation: Original mean = 50, so total sum = 20 × 50 = 1000. When the 5 largest values are each decreased by 8, the total decrease in sum = 5 × 8 = 40. New sum = 1000 - 40 = 960. New mean = 960 ÷ 20 = 48.0. The median information is given as a distractor - it doesn't affect the calculation of the new mean when we know the original mean and the specific changes made.
Question 2
A company calculates employee bonuses using a weighted average of three performance metrics: Quality (weight 40%), Efficiency (weight 35%), and Teamwork (weight 25%). If an employee's Quality score is 85, Efficiency score is 92, and the weighted average is 88, what is the Teamwork score?
- 84
- 86
- 87 (correct answer)
- 90
Explanation: Let T = Teamwork score. Weighted average formula: 0.40(85) + 0.35(92) + 0.25(T) = 88. Calculate: 0.40(85) = 34, 0.35(92) = 32.2. So: 34 + 32.2 + 0.25T = 88, which gives 66.2 + 0.25T = 88. Therefore: 0.25T = 88 - 66.2 = 21.8, so T = 21.8 ÷ 0.25 = 87.2 ≈ 87.
Question 3
Based on the bar chart shown, what is the median number of books read by the seven students last month?
- 4
- 5 (correct answer)
- 6
- 7
Explanation: The bar heights are 3, 7, 4, 6, 2, 9, and 5. Ordered from least to greatest: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. The middle (4th) value is 5, so the median is 5. A) 4 and C) 6 are the two values adjacent to the median but not the middle; D) 7 is larger than the median because it sits farther to the right in the ordered list.
Question 4
Use the histogram shown to calculate the approximate mean age of the 40 participants.
- 28.7
- 29.9 (correct answer)
- 30.6
- 31.5
Explanation: Midpoints: 22,27,32,37. Weighted sum 6(22)+12(27)+15(32)+7(37)=1195; 1195/40=29.875≈29.9. A) 28.7 uses wrong midpoint for 30–34; C) 30.6 mis-weights 35–39; D) 31.5 assumes each bin midpoint is 1 unit higher.
Question 5
Refer to the line graph. What is the range, in degrees Fahrenheit, of the daily high temperatures shown?
- 8
- 9
- 10 (correct answer)
- 11
Explanation: The highest value on the graph is 78∘F and the lowest is 68∘F. Range =78−68=10. A) 8 and B) 9 result from mis-reading the extremes; D) 11 comes from subtracting 67 from 78, using an incorrect low point.
Question 6
Use the dot plot below to determine the mean exam score.
- 76.4
- 77.2
- 78 (correct answer)
- 78.8
Explanation: Scores (each dot represents one student): 70,72,74,74,75,76,78,78,80,82,84. Sum =858; eleven scores ⇒ 858/11=78. A) 76.4 omits 84; B) 77.2 mis-counts 74 twice; D) 78.8 double-counts 82.
Question 7
Refer to the tree diagram. What is the expected value of the investment's one-year return, in percent?
- 1.2
- 1.8 (correct answer)
- 2.4
- 3
Explanation: Weighted average: 0.60(5)+0.40(−3)=3−1.2=1.8%. A) 1.2 uses the negative branch only; C) 2.4 multiplies 0.60 by 4; D) 3.0 ignores the loss branch.
Question 8
Based on the pie chart shown, what is the median number of clients per department?
- 12
- 16 (correct answer)
- 18
- 20
Explanation: Counts: Marketing 20, Finance 16, HR 12, Operations 24, IT 8. Ordered: 8,12,16,20,24 ⇒ median is 16. A) 12 and D) 20 are adjacent values, not the middle; C) 18 is an average of 16 and 20, not an actual count.