The average points accumulated by 6 children is 82.5. They have all attained different points which are whole numbers. The lowest point is 59 while the highest point is 94.
- Find the average points achieved by the 4 children whose marks lie between the highest and the lowest.
- Find the smallest possible second lowest mark among these 6 children.
- Find the largest possible second lowest mark among these 6 children.
(a)
Total points of 6 children
= 6 x 82.5
= 495
Total points of the rest of the 4 children
= 495 - 94 - 59
= 342
Average points of 4 children
= 342 ÷ 4
= 85.5
(b)
To have the smallest possible second lowest mark among the 6 children, the 3rd child to the 6th child must have as high a score as possible and the 2nd child must have the second lowest score among the 6 children.
So the 6th child will have the highest score. The 5th child will have 1 mark will less than 6th child and this pattern continues to the 3rd child.
1st child's score = 59
2nd child's score = ?
3rd child's score = 94 - 3 = 91
4th child's score = 94 - 2 = 92
5th child's score = 94 - 1 = 93
6th child's score = 94
The smallest possible second lowest mark among these 6 children
= 342 - 93 - 92 - 91
= 66
(c)
To have the largest possible second lowest mark among these 6 children, the 2nd child to the 5th child must have as high a score as possible but lower than the 6th child.
So the 2nd child will have the highest possible second lowest score. The 3rd child must have at least 1 mark higher than the 2nd child and the pattern continues to the 5th child.
1st child's score = 59
2nd child's score = 1 u
3rd child's score = 1 u + 1
4th child's score = 1 u + 2
5th child's score = 1 u + 3
6th child's score = 94
1 u + (1 u + 1) + (1 u + 2) + (1 u + 3) = 342
4 u + 6 = 342
4 u = 342 - 6
4 u = 336
1 u = 336 ÷ 4 = 84
84 x 4 + 6 = 342 (Equal to 342)
Largest possible second lowest mark among these 6 children = 84
Answer(s): (a) 85.5; (b) 66; (c) 84
