2023 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 8

Revision as of 22:59, 9 November 2023 by Milquetoast (talk | contribs) (Solution 2 (similar method to solution 1))

Problem

Maureen is keeping track of the mean of her quiz scores this semester. If Maureen scores an $11$ on the next quiz, her mean will increase by $1$. If she scores an $11$ on each of the next three quizzes, her mean will increase by $2$. What is the mean of her quiz scores currently? $\textbf{(A) }4\qquad\textbf{(B) }5\qquad\textbf{(C) }6\qquad\textbf{(D) }7\qquad\textbf{(E) }8$

Solution 1

Let $a$ represent the amount of tests taken previously and $x$ the mean of the scores taken previously.

We can write the equations $\frac{ax+11}{a+1} = x+1$ and $\frac{ax+33}{a+3} = x+2$.

Expanding, $ax+11 = ax+a+x+1$ and $ax+33 = ax+2a+3x+6$.

This gives us $a+x = 10$ and $2a+3x = 27$. Solving for each variable, $x=7$ and $a=3$. The answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(D) }7}$

~walmartbrian ~Shontai ~andyluo

Solution 2

Let $s$ represent the sum of Maureen's test scores previously and $t$ be the number of scores taken previously.

So, $\frac{s+11}{t+1} = \frac{s}{t}+1$ and $\frac{s+33}{t+3} = \frac{s}{t}+2$

We can use the first equation to write $s$ in terms of $t$.

We then substitute this into the second equation: $\frac{-t^2+10t+33}{t+3} = \frac{-t^2+10}{t}+2$

From here, we solve for t, getting $t=3$.

We substitute this to get $s=21$.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $\frac{21}{3}=$ $\boxed{\textbf{(D) }7}$

See Also

2023 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 9
Followed by
Problem 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions
2023 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 7
Followed by
Problem 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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