Calculating Averages

[3rd gen noob]

all the tests were given 45 minutes, if that's any help to anyone

isn't it amazing a seemingly simple question has lead to so many posts in such a little period of time?

[hobbes]

Originally posted by lynx@16 November 2003 - 18:38
No, all we know is the relative number of questions.
For example, in the test with 40 questions they might all be 2 + 2 = ? type questions, so each question would not be very important at all.

The amount of time allowed for each test is usually an indication of how hard the test is (compared to others), and could be used as a relative weighting for the test.

If all the tests are allowed the same amount of time it would indicate that a test based average is called for so you should use Skweeky's method.

Well, if we assume the numbers do not necessarily reflect the way each exam will contribute to the final average, then there is no way possible to calculate it.

Skweeky's method assumes that each test will be of equal value and
my method assumes that the points per test is reflective of the relative weighting. If we do not know which assumption is correct, then no method of calculation is of any benefit.

So noob3, are the tests equal or what?

[UKMan]

Originally posted by J&#39;Pol+16 November 2003 - 18:52--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (J&#39;Pol @ 16 November 2003 - 18:52)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-UKMan@16 November 2003 - 18:49
Not 1 thread in this forum do all agree - not 1 - i&#39;m amazed...totally amazed - no, im astounded, even confounded&#33;

All i can say is WOW&#33;&#33;

Is&#39;nt that amazing?? No wonder we kill each other - am i getting too serious? - yes, ok, i&#39;ll shut up then.

still ----&#62; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Peace - hopefully
UKMan

Not really surprising given the socio-economic and cultural diversity. [/b][/quote]
I know, but given the fact that over 500 000 posts have been made (no, i havnt read &#39;em all - so i could be wrong) its astounding - i am serious, it wasnt meant to be sarcastic. But even a simple thing like averages can be twisted to give whatever result you want - thats......well, i dunno&#33;&#33;

Dont take me too harshly my illustrious friend, i&#39;m in a strange mood tonight

Peace
UKMan

[Skweeky]

well, yes UKMan, but as you know, averages are some sort of a statistic, and you know what they say about those;

&#39;you have lies, big lies, and statistic&#39;

[J'Pol]

What will you get at the end of it all, an overall mark or seperate marks ?

Will your overall percentage mean anything, or are you just interested ?

How will it reflect on your course ?

If you want the overall percentage then it is simply a case of Actual/Possible *100

If however you wish the average percentage it is each average, as above, added together and divided by the number of tests. Though I don&#39;t know why you would want that.

As lynx says, the former reflects that each question is of equal importance. The latter indicates that each test is of equal importance.

If however you were told that test 1 gives you 50% of your overall mark and each of the others 10%, then you would have to weight it that way.

[Lamsey]

It all depends on whether Prof. Gurney wants to get your average exam mark (average percentage score), or your total mark out of all the tests (marks gained / total marks).

As I remember, it&#39;s the average of the exam marks - there might be more info on this in the VLE.

[Lamsey]

Taken from the VLE:

Originally posted by Prof. Gurney
Overall Assessment.

Your overall class mark (as a percentage) will be calculated as 0.5*[Project Mark(as %)] + 0.5*[Test Mark (as %)]. The project and test marks will be calculated as a weighted average of the individual project and test marks (renormalised as neccessary to yield a proper representation of class performance). Students who fail to obtain a pass mark on this basis may resit the class in the August resit diet, when no account will be taken of class or project work.

This should answer your question.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by Lamsey@16 November 2003 - 19:06
It all depends on whether Prof. Gurney wants to get your average exam mark (average percentage score), or your total mark out of all the tests (marks gained / total marks).

As I remember, it&#39;s the average of the exam marks - there might be more info on this in the VLE.

Oh it&#39;s Bill Gurney is it.

You could have said.

Just e-mail him and ask

[email protected]

[UKMan]

Originally posted by Skweeky@16 November 2003 - 19:04
well, yes UKMan, but as you know, averages are some sort of a statistic, and you know what they say about those;

&#39;you have lies, big lies, and statistic&#39;

Skweeky - why is it that everytime you speak to me, nothing else matters

[Lamsey]

I wouldn&#39;t bother wasting his time, the info is there - look up.