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There are two sections A and B of a class, consisting of 18 and 22 students, respectively. If the average weight of section A is 40 kg and that of section B is 35 kg, find the average weight of the whole class.
38.25 kg
37.25 kg
38.5 kg
37.5 kg
37.25 kg
Use the weighted average formula directly: Avg=18+2218×40+22×35=40720+770=401490=37.25.
Number of students in section A = 18, Average weight = 40 kg. Number of students in section B = 22, Average weight = 35 kg.
Average=Total Number of Values∑Values=n1+n2n1A1+n2A2
Use the weighted average formula directly: Avg=18+2218×40+22×35=40720+770=401490=37.25.
Commonly, students calculate simple average (40+35)/2=37.5 ignoring the number of students (weights) in each section.
Calculate total weight for Section A
Multiply the number of students by their average weight: 18×40.
18×40=720 kg
Calculate total weight for Section B
Multiply the number of students by their average weight: 22×35.
22×35=770 kg
Find the average weight of the whole class
Divide the total sum of weights by the total number of students (18+22=40): 40720+770.
401490=37.25 kg
B is correct because the weighted average calculation 1490÷40 results in 37.25 kg.
This concept is fundamental for 'Alligation and Mixture' problems in Quantitative Aptitude, where the ratio of quantities acts as the weight.