The scores for an online exam for a class of 30 students were randomly split into two groups of equal size, Group A and Group B. Group A had a mean score of 91%. It was then found that the entire class had a mean score of 88%. What can be said about the mean score for Group B?(1 point) Responses The mean score for Group B will be equal to the mean score for the entire class. The mean score for Group B will be equal to the mean score for the entire class. The mean score for Group B will be higher than the mean score for the entire class. The mean score for Group B will be higher than the mean score for the entire class. The mean score for Group B will be the same as the mean score for Group A. The mean score for Group B will be the same as the mean score for Group A. The mean score for Group B will be lower than the mean score for the entire class.

1 answer

To find the mean score for Group B, we can use the information provided about the mean scores of both groups and the overall class.

  1. The class consists of 30 students, split into two equal groups, A and B, so each group has 15 students.
  2. The mean score for Group A is 91%.
  3. The overall mean score for the entire class is 88%.

Let's denote:

  • Sum of scores for Group A = Mean score of Group A × Number of students in Group A = 91% × 15 = 1365% (relative to a score out of 100).
  • Let the sum of scores for Group B be \( S_B \).
  • The total sum of scores for the class is equal to the mean score of the entire class multiplied by the number of students, which gives us 88% × 30 = 2640%.

From this, we can set up the equation for the total scores:

\[ \text{Total scores} = \text{Scores from Group A} + \text{Scores from Group B} \]

So,

\[ 2640 = 1365 + S_B \]

Now, solve for \( S_B \):

\[ S_B = 2640 - 1365 = 1275% \]

Next, we find the mean score for Group B:

\[ \text{Mean score for Group B} = \frac{S_B}{\text{Number of students in Group B}} = \frac{1275}{15} = 85% \]

Comparing the mean score of Group B (85%) to the overall class mean (88%):

  • Group B's mean score (85%) is lower than the mean score for the entire class (88%).

So, the correct response is:

The mean score for Group B will be lower than the mean score for the entire class.