AMC8 2007 8, Problem 1

Theresa's parents have agreed to buy her tickets to see her favorite band if she spends an average of $10$ hours per week helping around the house for $6$ weeks. For the first $5$ weeks she helps around the house for $8$, $11$, $7$, $12$ and $10$ hours. How many hours must she work for the final week to earn the tickets?

Solution: Let $x$ be the number of hours she must work for the final week. We are looking for the average, so \[\frac{8 + 11 + 7 + 12 + 10 + x}{6} = 10\] Solving gives: \[\frac{48 + x}{6} = 10\] \[48 + x = 60\] \[x = 12\] So, the answer is $\fbox{12}$

Answer: 12