AMC8 2019 8, Problem 7

Shauna takes five tests, each worth a maximum of $100$ points. Her scores on the first three tests are $76$ , $94$ , and $87$ . In order to average $81$ for all five tests, what is the lowest score she could earn on one of the other two tests?

Solution: We should notice that we can turn the information we are given into a linear equation and just solve for our set variables. I'll use the variables $x$ and $y$ for the scores on the last two tests. \[\frac{76+94+87+x+y}{5} = 81,\] \[\frac{257+x+y}{5} = 81.\] We can now cross multiply to get rid of the denominator. \[257+x+y = 405,\] \[x+y = 148.\] Now that we have this equation, we will assign $y$ as the lowest score of the two other tests, and so: \[x = 100,\] \[y=48.\] Now we know that the lowest score on the two other tests is $\fbox{48}$.

Answer: 48