Calculating Averages

[3rd gen noob]

ok, i've been wondering about this a few days and thought you folks might be able to help

i've sat 5 tests so far (well, 4 really, cos we missed one) and my marks for those 5 are:

24/25, 17/20, 14/20, 0/40 and 18/30

now, is my average percentage the sum of the marks i have divided by the total available marks (e.g. (24+17+14+0+18)/(25+20+20+40+30))

or is it the average of the individual percentage scores?

any help would be appreciated, thanks

[Billy_Dean]

Whichever looks better. I'd ignore the one you didn't take.


:)

[Skweeky]

24/25 = 9.6/10
17/20 = 8.5/10
14/20 = 7/10
0/40 = 0/10
18/30 = 6/10


9.6 + 8.5 + 7 + 0 + 6 = 31.1

31.1/50 = 62.2% ;)

[UKMan]

Originally posted by Billy_Dean@16 November 2003 - 17:18
Whichever looks better. I'd ignore the one you didn't take.


:)
ha ha - not if he wants to be honest.
You do wanna be honest noob??

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by Skweeky@16 November 2003 - 16:22
24/25 = 9.6/10
17/20 = 8.5/10
14/20 = 7/10
0/40 = 0/10
18/30 = 6/10


9.6 + 8.5 + 7 + 0 + 6 = 31.1

31.1/50 = 62.2% ;)
that was what i was thinking, but it seems like quite a high average considering i've not done one of the exams

thanks for the reply though :D

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by UKMan@16 November 2003 - 16:23
ha ha - not if he wants to be honest.
You do wanna be honest noob??
about maths: yes :rolleyes:

[TClite]

add the total score, add the total "out of" then divide *100

which is 54.1%

[hobbes]

Originally posted by Skweeky@16 November 2003 - 17:22
24/25 = 9.6/10
17/20 = 8.5/10
14/20 = 7/10
0/40  = 0/10
18/30 = 6/10


9.6 + 8.5 + 7 + 0 + 6 = 31.1

31.1/50 = 62.2% ;)
points earned: 24+17+14+0+18= 73
points possible: 25+20+20+40+30= 135

avg= 73/135= 54.1%

avg after you ace the next one= 73+40/135=83.7%

Sweeky gave your averages for each test, but did not take into account that each test has a different weighting.

Example:
test 1: 90/100 =9/10
test 2: 10/20 =5/10


14/20=70% but since test 1 has 5x the points, the final average must reflect this. A 90 out of 100 would be equivalent to 5 tests where you score 18/20 so

18/20=9/10
18/20=9/10
18/20=9/10
18/20=9/10
18/20=9/10
10/20=5/10

50/60= 83.3%

Hope that was clear.

[J'Pol]

Actual x 100 = Percentage Score
Poss

So the ~54% is right, but you multiply by 100 to get the percentage.

When you get your other mark just add it to the top line.

Bloody Tax Dodgers.

[J'Pol]

Hobbes,

I suppose you could also do a weighted mark-up if called upon to do so ;)

[hobbes]

Originally posted by J'Pol@16 November 2003 - 18:02
Hobbes,

I suppose you could also do a weighted mark-up if called upon to do so ;)
That would only be- logical

[3rd gen noob]

TC was right then? :o

thanks for the info then, chaps :D

[lynx]

It depends.

If each test has equal importance (regardless of the number of questions) then Skweeky's method is correct.
If each question has equal importance then TCLite's method is correct.

Theoretically, Hobbes' method would take both into account, but since we don't know the relative importance of each test it is not helpful.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by 3rd gen noob@16 November 2003 - 18:04
TC was right then?  :o

thanks for the info then, chaps  :D
Yes

Lynx is a muppet.

If you totally disregard the "missed" test, you are up around the 77%

[hobbes]

Originally posted by 3rd gen noob@16 November 2003 - 17:10
24/25, 17/20, 14/20, 0/40 and 18/30


But Lynx, we do know the relative importance. Don't we?

[lynx]

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.

[J'Pol]

So one answers the question based on the data supplied and does not assume extra criteria.

My reading of the question was what was my overall percentage. If however this is not the case then 3 can let us know what it is he really needs to know.

[Skweeky]

yes, that was what I was thinking to. Here it usually doesn't matter on how many points the test is, they all have the same weight :)

[UKMan]

Not 1 thread in this forum do all agree - not 1 - i'm amazed...totally amazed - no, im astounded, even confounded!

All i can say is WOW!!

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

still ----> :blink: :blink: :blink:

Peace - hopefully
UKMan

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by UKMan@16 November 2003 - 18:49
Not 1 thread in this forum do all agree - not 1 - i'm amazed...totally amazed - no, im astounded, even confounded!

All i can say is WOW!!

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

still ----> :blink: :blink: :blink:

Peace - hopefully
UKMan
Not really surprising given the socio-economic and cultural diversity.

[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? :blink:

[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; :blink:&nbsp; :blink:&nbsp; :blink:

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; :lol:

[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; :lol:
Skweeky - why is it that everytime you speak to me, nothing else matters :D :wub:

[Lamsey]

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

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by Lamsey@16 November 2003 - 19:11
I wouldn&#39;t bother wasting his time, the info is there - look up. :P
But it doesn&#39;t give the weightings, just that they willl be weighted. :P

[hobbes]

My new answer is "7". Why, &#39;cause it makes as much sense as that loon Gurney.


Sounds to me like there is no way to figure your grade as he is not only weighting it, but he is also normalizing the class scores. The old grading on the "curve" trick. AKA, the slippery slope.

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by hobbes@16 November 2003 - 19:17
My new answer is "7".&nbsp; Why, &#39;cause it makes as much sense as that loon Gurney.
Say that to his face then

http://www.strath.ac.uk/stams/img/staff/BillGurney.jpg

[hobbes]

Originally posted by J&#39;Pol+16 November 2003 - 19:19--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (J&#39;Pol &#064; 16 November 2003 - 19:19)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-hobbes@16 November 2003 - 19:17
My new answer is "7". Why, &#39;cause it makes as much sense as that loon Gurney.
Say that to his face then

http://www.strath.ac.uk/stams/img/staff/BillGurney.jpg [/b][/quote]
Look, if Gurney wants a piece of me, by my calculation he will need one of these.
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/clipart/gif/man-on-gurney.gif

[Skweeky]

Originally posted by UKMan+16 November 2003 - 19:11--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (UKMan @ 16 November 2003 - 19:11)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-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; :lol:
Skweeky - why is it that everytime you speak to me, nothing else matters :D :wub: [/b][/quote]
Smoooooooth Ukkie :D


It&#39;s because I&#39;m a really sweet girl and I always give you hugs :D :wub:

[Lamsey]

Originally posted by hobbes+16 November 2003 - 18:24--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (hobbes @ 16 November 2003 - 18:24)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by J&#39;Pol@16 November 2003 - 19:19
<!--QuoteBegin-hobbes@16 November 2003 - 19:17
My new answer is "7". Why, &#39;cause it makes as much sense as that loon Gurney.
Say that to his face then

http://www.strath.ac.uk/stams/img/staff/BillGurney.jpg
Look, if Gurney wants a piece of me, by my calculation he will need one of these.
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/clipart/gif/man-on-gurney.gif [/b][/quote]
Oy- that&#39;s my Stats lecturer you&#39;re talking about.

And he&#39;s a nice bloke, even if he is a statistician :blink:

[UKMan]

Originally posted by Skweeky+16 November 2003 - 19:27--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Skweeky @ 16 November 2003 - 19:27)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by UKMan@16 November 2003 - 19:11
<!--QuoteBegin-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; :lol:
Skweeky - why is it that everytime you speak to me, nothing else matters :D :wub:
Smoooooooth Ukkie :D


It&#39;s because I&#39;m a really sweet girl and I always give you hugs :D :wub: [/b][/quote]
Well, when i finally get my Intruder, i promise i&#39;ll take you up on that - just send Jonno out shopping - :lol:

[hobbes]

C&#39;mon Liam,

I will put Gurney on a gurney, a rather sad attempt at humor on my part. JPauls wearing my nerves raw today.

Is our former host online now- I saw Paul in red in the user list. I thought he had disappeared forever.

[Skweeky]

your Intruder? :huh:

[UKMan]

Originally posted by Skweeky@16 November 2003 - 19:49
your Intruder? :huh:
Suzuki 1400 cruiser - brmm brmm motorbike :P :D
Get out ya leathers and prepare to be vibrated :lol: :lol: