Different-sized groups call for a weighted percent: each school's percentage counts according to its number of students. Find how many students play sports at each school, then use Desmos to divide the combined sports count by the combined student count. Don't average the two percentages unless the schools are the same size.
Hints
- Hint 1
A percent describes a part of a whole. Each school's percentage uses its own student count as the whole. How can you find the number who play sports at each school?
- Hint 2
A combined percent compares the total number who play sports with the total number of students. Add both sports counts for the top of the fraction, and both school sizes for the bottom.
Step-by-step
Count players, then find the combined percent
Step 1Find School A's sports count
School A's students are the whole for its percentage. The part who play sports is of . Type in Desmos; it prints , so School A students play sports.
- Step 2
Find School B's sports count
School B has a different whole: its students. Type ; Desmos prints , so School B students play sports. Don't take School B's percentage of School A's student count.
- Step 3
Find the percent of all students
The question asks about both schools together, so compare all sports participants with all students. Add the parts and add the wholes before dividing. Type in Desmos; it prints . Multiplying the share by makes it a percent, so of the combined student body participates in sports. Choice C.