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Maths question from Social Forest Worker exam, 2026 by JKSSB

The average score of a group of n students in a mathematics competition is 60. A series of adjustments is made to the data. The top 25% of students (by score) are removed from the data set. Their average score was 80. A new group of 10 students joins the remaining group. This new group has an average score of 40. After these changes, it was discovered that a score belonging to one of the original remaining students was misrecorded as 100 instead of 80. After all departures, additions, and corrections, the final average score of the group is exactly 50. What was the original number of students (n)? 

Last updated Jul 21, 2026
Correct Answer: Option D — 48
Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. Initial State
Let the original number of students be n.

The original average score is 60.

The original combined score is 60 times n.

2. Removing the Top Quarter
The top 25 percent means one-fourth of the total students, or 0.25 times n.

Their average score was 80, making their combined score 80 times 0.25 times n, which equals 20 times n.

Removing these students leaves three-fourths of the students, or 0.75 times n.

The combined score of the remaining students is 60 times n minus 20 times n, which equals 40 times n.

3. Adding New Students and Correcting the Error
A new group of 10 students with an average score of 40 joins, adding 400 total marks (10 times 40).

The total number of students becomes 0.75 times n plus 10.

A misrecorded score of 100 instead of 80 is corrected, which reduces the total score by 20 marks.

The final total score is 40 times n plus 380 (400 minus 20).

4. Solving for the Original Number of Students
The final average score of 50 means the total score equals 50 times the new group size (0.75 times n plus 10).

Multiplying 50 by 0.75 times n plus 10 gives 37.5 times n plus 500.

Equating the two total scores: 40 times n plus 380 equals 37.5 times n plus 500.

Subtracting 37.5 times n from 40 times n leaves 2.5 times n.

Subtracting 380 from 500 leaves 120.

Therefore, 2.5 times n equals 120.

Dividing 120 by 2.5 yields 48 original students.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.

About this question

JKSSB Social Forest Worker 2026

Details

Exam JKSSB
Recruitment Social Forest Worker
Year 2026
Subject Maths
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