1. Maria's math teacher gives 8 quizzes that are each worth 10 points. Maria's quiz scores are shown. To compute the semester quiz average, the teacher drops the highest and the lowest scores and computes the average (arithmetic mean) of the remaining scores. What is Maria's semester quiz average?
Answer: B
Maria's semester quiz average is 6.
To determine Maria's semester quiz average, we first identify her scores, drop the highest and lowest scores, and then calculate the average of the remaining scores. After performing these calculations, the average comes out to be 6.
A) 5
Option A is incorrect because a quiz average of 5 would imply that the sum of the remaining scores, after dropping the highest and lowest scores, is lower than what is actually calculated. The average of Maria's valid scores is higher than 5.
B) 6
Option B is correct as it accurately reflects the average score calculated after dropping the highest and lowest quiz scores. This average is obtained by summing the valid scores and dividing by the number of scores considered.
C) 7
Option C is incorrect because an average of 7 would suggest a higher total for the valid scores than what is present. After accounting for the dropped scores, the remaining total does not support this average.
D) 8
Option D is also incorrect, as it suggests an unreasonably high average that cannot be sustained by the scores. Given the process of dropping the highest and lowest scores, the average cannot reach 8.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct answer is 6, as it accurately represents the average of Maria's scores after excluding the highest and lowest. All other options do not align with the statistical process applied to her quiz scores, making them invalid.