If the average of five test scores is 88, what is the total of the scores?

If the average of five test scores is 88, what is the total of the scores?

• A. 440
• B. 472
• C. 395
• D. 420

Answer: (A)

The principle at work is that the average equals the total divided by how many items, so total equals average times the count. Five scores with an average of 88 give a total of 88 × 5 = 440. This checks out because the sum of the five scores, when divided by five, returns 88. If the total were 472, the average would be 472/5 = 94.4; if it were 395, the average would be 395/5 = 79; if it were 420, the average would be 420/5 = 84. None of these match 88, so 440 is the correct total.

The principle at work is that the average equals the total divided by how many items, so total equals average times the count. Five scores with an average of 88 give a total of 88 × 5 = 440. This checks out because the sum of the five scores, when divided by five, returns 88.

If the total were 472, the average would be 472/5 = 94.4; if it were 395, the average would be 395/5 = 79; if it were 420, the average would be 420/5 = 84. None of these match 88, so 440 is the correct total.