Problem Solving

AAPL wrote:GMAT Prep

For a certain exam, a score of 58 was 2 standard deviations below mean and a score of 98 was 3 standard deviations above mean. What was the mean score for the exam?

A. 74
B. 76
C. 78
D. 80
E. 82

OA A

If we let x = mean and s = standard deviation, then a score of 58 that was 2 standard deviations below the mean would mean 58 = x - 2s. Similarly, a score of 98 that was 3 standard deviations above the mean would mean 98 = x + 3s.

We can use the two equations to determine a value of x.

x - 2s = 58

x + 3s = 98

If we subtract the first equation from the second equation, we have:

5s = 40

s = 8

Now we can determine x:

x + 3s = 98

x + 3(8) = 98

x + 24 = 98

x = 74

Answer: A